The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has charged Nigerian students to live exemplary lives rooted in integrity, discipline, and patriotism, urging them to reject the lure of cybercrime and other fraudulent activities that threaten the future of the country.
Speaking during an interactive youth engagement session at a secondary school outreach in Abuja, Olukoyede emphasized the pivotal role young Nigerians play in shaping the nation’s moral and socio-economic landscape. He maintained that the EFCC’s fight against corruption is not just about prosecution but also about prevention through value reorientation, especially among the youth.
According to the EFCC boss, cultivating a lifestyle of honesty and excellence from an early stage is essential to building a better Nigeria. “Your choices today will determine the kind of leaders and citizens you become tomorrow,” Olukoyede told the students. “As the future of this country, you must understand that shortcuts, fraud, and crime may seem attractive, but they destroy lives and dreams.”
The outreach is part of the Commission’s anti-corruption sensitization programme targeted at students and young adults, under its Integrity Clubs initiative. These clubs have been established in secondary and tertiary institutions across the country to promote anti-corruption values, accountability, and national ethics among young Nigerians.
Olukoyede reiterated that the EFCC would continue to invest in preventive strategies to tackle the root causes of financial crimes and internet fraud, commonly referred to as “Yahoo Yahoo.” He called on school administrators, teachers, and parents to join the agency in instilling moral values that steer students away from criminal influence.
The students, visibly engaged, pledged to serve as ambassadors of honesty and uprightness in their schools and communities. Some expressed gratitude to the Commission for including young voices in the national conversation on corruption, noting that peer influence plays a critical role in shaping choices.
The EFCC boss also used the opportunity to encourage youths to focus on academic excellence, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship as legitimate pathways to success. “There are no shortcuts to greatness,” he said. “The future belongs to those who work for it.”
With Nigeria facing rising cases of cybercrime among youths, the EFCC’s renewed focus on educational outreach reflects a broader strategy to reshape public perception and restore the country’s image globally.
