Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

President Olusegun Obasanjo established the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in 2002 as Nigeria's specialized anti-corruption agency, with the enabling legislation passed in 2004. The commission was tasked with investigating and prosecuting financial crimes including money laundering, advance fee fraud, and corruption cases involving public officials. Nuhu Ribadu, a police officer, became its first executive chairman and led aggressive prosecutions that resulted in over 250 convictions between 2003 and 2007.

The EFCC emerged from mounting international pressure on Nigeria to address its reputation for corruption and financial crimes, particularly the infamous '419' advance fee fraud schemes that had damaged the country's global standing. International financial institutions and Western governments had increasingly isolated Nigeria due to widespread corruption under military rule, while the Financial Action Task Force threatened sanctions over money laundering concerns. Obasanjo's civilian government needed credible anti-corruption institutions to restore international confidence and attract foreign investment to Nigeria's struggling economy.