Nigeria's Senate approves president's nominee for anti-corruption chief

The EFCC investigates and prosecutes corruption in Africa's largest oil exporter and its biggest economy, which has grappled with endemic graft for decades. Bawa told senators his 16 years at the EFCC had prepared him well for the top job. "I am versed in the investigation of advance fee fraud, money laundering, public sector corruption and other financial crime-related issues," he said during the confirmation.

Nigeria's senate on Wednesday unanimously approved a new anti-corruption chief nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Senate approved Abdulrasheed Bawa, a regional head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in a voice vote. The EFCC investigates and prosecutes corruption in Africa's largest oil exporter and its biggest economy, which has grappled with endemic graft for decades.

Bawa told senators his 16 years at the EFCC had prepared him well for the top job. "I am versed in the investigation of advance fee fraud, money laundering, public sector corruption and other financial crime-related issues," he said during the confirmation. (Reporting By Camillus Eboh, writing by Libby George; Editing by Jon Boyle and Gareth Jones)