EFCC Boss Urges Nigerian Youths To Anti-corruption Fight
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, has called on youths across the country to join hands with the Commission in the fight against corruption, economic and financial crimes in the country.
He gave the charge on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, when students of Adamawa State University came on a study tour of EFCC’s corporate headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.
Olukoyede, who was represented by the Head of Public Interface of the Public Affairs Department of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I, Tony Orilade, described corruption as the greatest challenge confronting the country today.
He stated that if Nigerians unite and sincerely collaborate in the fight against corruption, the country would secure a better future for generations to come.
“If Nigerians come together and fight corruption sincerely, we will secure a better future. But if we fail to do so, we will continue to face unemployment, underdevelopment and loss of opportunities,” he said.
He stressed that the EFCC cannot win the anti-corruption war alone, noting that the active participation of youths and other stakeholders is critical in reclaiming the country from the grip of corruption and financial malpractices.
“The EFCC needs you in this fight. We cannot take back this country from corruption unless everyone stands together. While corrupt individuals are determined to continue their acts, the EFCC is equally determined to stop them and save the nation from the dangers ahead,” he said.
In her contribution, the Head of Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit of the Commission, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II, Aisha Mohammed, said that the work of the EFCC went beyond arrests and prosecution, noting that prevention remains a central mandate of the Commission.
She explained that the Commission carries out preventive measures through public enlightenment, lectures, media campaigns and creative advocacy programmes, noting that the EFCC operates Integrity Clubs in primary and secondary schools, Zero Tolerance Clubs in tertiary institutions, collaborates with the NYSC Community Development Service, faith-based organisations and civil society groups in promoting integrity and ethical values.
Mohammed urged Nigerians to embrace whistleblowing and to speak out against wrongdoing, stressing that corruption thrives in silence. She encouraged the youth to embrace creativity and hard work and stay off financial crimes.
“What is bad is bad. Don’t fold your arms. Don’t put your hands where you are not supposed to,” she said.
In his presentation on cybercrime, Deputy Superintendent of the EFCC, DSE Ogunjuobi Philip, defined cybercrime as the improper or criminal use of Information and Communication Technology, ICT, devices and internet services.
He explained that cybercrime is broadly divided into cyber-dependent and cyber-enabled crimes.
According to him, cyber-dependent crimes include hacking, phishing, vishing, man-in-the-middle attacks, Distributed Denial of Service, DDoS attacks, malware and ransomware, all of which target the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data and systems.
He added that cyber-enabled crimes are traditional crimes amplified through the internet, including romance scams, contract scams and investment fraud.
Ogunjuobi observed that cybercrime erodes public trust, causes financial losses, blocks access to essential services and damages the image of individuals, families and the nation at large.
He encouraged the students to educate their peers and families on the dangers of cybercrime and to reject criminality, irrespective of excuses such as poverty or peer pressure, and use technology responsibly.
The excursion coordinator, Mr. Enam P. Abalis, expressed appreciation to the EFCC for hosting the delegation and organising the sensitisation session on cybercrime and national integrity.
