Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has vowed to intensify efforts to recover stolen public assets, describing the campaign as essential to restoring trust in governance and delivering justice to the people.
Speaking on Tuesday through Nadungu Gagare, the Permanent Secretary for Political and Economic Affairs, Tinubu addressed delegates at the opening of the National Summit on Asset Recovery in Abuja. He called asset recovery a “moral duty” and a “national necessity,” framing the effort as a critical pillar of Nigeria’s anti-corruption strategy.
“Returning stolen funds to the public is more than legal retribution—it is a matter of justice, restitution, and national renewal,” said Gagare, reading the president’s speech. “Every recovered asset must serve the people, not sit idle in bureaucracy.”
The summit, convened in Nigeria’s capital, brought together top officials, justice experts, and anti-graft bodies to discuss how best to repatriate misappropriated wealth and reinvest it in the country’s infrastructure and public services.
High-Stakes Recoveries
Tinubu affirmed that his administration has prioritized using recovered funds to support development projects, despite the operational complexities of asset recovery. “We are sending a message to all who abuse public office: there will be no safe haven,” he said.
According to Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, the country’s two main anti-corruption agencies—the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)—have recovered substantial amounts in 2024 alone.
The assets reclaimed include over $105 million, ₦248 billion (roughly $156.5 million), 753 duplexes, an additional $966,900, and ₦29.6 billion (around $18.7 million).
Fagbemi also highlighted international cooperation in Nigeria’s fight against illicit financial flows. “We have successfully repatriated significant funds from abroad,” he said. “These recoveries affirm our commitment to transparency and fiscal accountability.”
Restoring Public Confidence
Analysts say the renewed push comes at a time when Nigerians are demanding greater transparency and tangible development outcomes. By emphasizing asset recovery as a driver of public service delivery, the Tinubu administration is seeking to reframe anti-corruption efforts as a foundation for inclusive growth.
“Every naira recovered is a step toward rebuilding the social contract,” said Gagare.
As deliberations at the summit continue, the government has pledged to strengthen legal frameworks, expand institutional capacity, and promote inter-agency collaboration to make asset recovery more efficient and more impactful.