EFCC Chair Advocates AI Integration Into Varsities’ Governance, Financial Management Systems
By Abdullahi Yusuf
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede, has called for the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the governance and financial management systems of Nigerian universities to address persistent cases of fraud and inefficiency.
Olukoyede made the call while speaking at the 8th Biennial Conference of Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-owned Universities In Nigeria(COPSUN) with the Theme:”Unlocking The Potentials Of Artificial intelligence: University Governance, Internationalization And Rankings,” held in Kano on Tuesday.
He described the academic community as a critical driver of national development, stressing that no country can achieve sustainable growth without a strong intellectual base.
The EFCC chairman said the adoption of AI in university systems is no longer optional but inevitable, given the scale of financial operations in tertiary institutions.
He noted that universities manage billions of Naira in tuition, grants, and intervention funds, yet accountability challenges remain widespread.
He disclosed that the commission had investigated several cases involving inflated contracts, ghost workers, and diversion of funds within the university system.
“Each case represents not only a loss of public funds but also a betrayal of trust by institutions expected to uphold integrity,” Olukoyede said.
He identified key areas where AI could strengthen transparency, including fraud detection, automated auditing, payroll verification, procurement monitoring, and academic integrity systems.
He explained that AI-powered tools could flag suspicious transactions in real time, detect duplicate payments, and identify irregular salary structures, thereby preventing financial leakages.
Olukoyede cited an instance uncovered by the EFCC in which a university was paying salaries far above its actual staff strength, describing it as a result of systemic weaknesses and lack of technological oversight.
He also expressed concern over the growing involvement of university students in cybercrime, claiming that a significant proportion of suspects arrested in recent operations were undergraduates.
He urged university governing councils to establish AI and digital governance committees, invest in digital infrastructure, and develop ethical frameworks to guide the deployment of the technology.
The EFCC boss cautioned, however, that AI is not a complete solution and must be complemented by human oversight and institutional integrity.
“Technology will not work magic where there is an integrity deficit,” he said.
In his remarks, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to education as a tool for socio-economic transformation.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr Suleiman Wali Sani, the governor
outlined ongoing investments in infrastructure, staff development, and digital learning across state-owned tertiary institutions.
The Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammadu Sunusi II, in an address, urged universities to play a leading role in shaping Nigeria’s AI strategy and broader national development policies.
Sunusi noted that academic institutions must remain central to intellectual discourse and policy formulation.
Chairman of COPSUN, Prof. Ayodeji Omole, emphasised the importance of collaboration among university governing councils to address common challenges such as funding constraints, infrastructure deficits and technological transformation.
The conference brought together pro-chancellors, vice-chancellors, policymakers, and other stakeholders to deliberate on the role of artificial intelligence in strengthening governance, accountability and innovation in Nigeria’s university system.