EFCC Chairman Hails Zamfara’s Transformation Under Gov. Lawal
By: Zagazola Makama
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede, has commended Gov. Dauda Lawal for what he described as transformational leadership and visible development in Zamfara State.
Olukoyede made the commendation while delivering the keynote address at the 30th anniversary of Zamfara State, held at the Grand Chamber of the Government House in Gusau.
The governor's spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, disclosed this in a statement issued on Oct. 30, 2026.
The EFCC chairman said he conducted due diligence on the governor and the state before accepting the invitation to participate in the anniversary lecture.
He explained that his decision was informed by the ethical demands of his office, which ordinarily prevented him from attending political events or visiting government houses.
“By virtue of the ethical demands of my office, I don’t attend political events; I don’t go to the government house as a matter of principle.
“But when I received this invitation, something told me to accept and see what was going on there,” he said.
Olukoyede said his assessment of Zamfara revealed significant changes in the state's development trajectory over the past three years.
He disclosed that he subsequently discussed his findings with President Bola Tinubu, who encouraged him to attend the event and support the governor's development efforts.
The EFCC chairman said his first visit to Zamfara had left him impressed by the infrastructure and development initiatives he observed in Gusau.
“As I arrived in Gusau, the first thing I noticed was the new airport. It is noticeable even to first-time visitors.
“The capital city speaks of visible transformation, as we have seen. Newly paved roads align with street solar lights,” he said.
Olukoyede noted that Zamfara had historically faced development challenges despite its considerable natural resources and potential.
He said the state had remained among Nigeria's less-developed states for years, even after its creation in 1996.
However, he said the situation was changing, describing the physical development of Gusau as a reflection of the broader transformation taking place across the state.
The EFCC chairman also commended the state government's efforts in education, noting improvements in performance in national examinations such as the National Examinations Council (NECO) and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
He said expanding public infrastructure and reforms were contributing positively to the daily lives of residents.
Olukoyede described the anniversary theme, “Accountability and Responsibility in Transformational Government,” as appropriate, noting that effective governance required transparency, commitment and responsible leadership.
He added that inviting the EFCC chairman to address the anniversary reflected the governor's commitment to democratic principles and accountability.
Meanwhile, Gov. Lawal said the anniversary theme, “Reflections, Achievements, and the Future,” was designed to examine the challenges that had shaped the state's development and identify strategies for securing a better future.
The governor said the anniversary lecture had provided an opportunity for intellectual engagement on governance, public accountability, community participation in tackling insecurity, cultural preservation and the relationship between security and socio-economic development.
He said the discussions aligned with his administration's Six-Point Rescue Agenda and the Zamfara State Development Plan 2025–2034.
According to him, the development plan provides a long-term framework for economic growth, infrastructure, social welfare, human capital development, governance and environmental sustainability.
Lawal stressed the need to translate government commitments into measurable improvements in the lives of residents.
