Olukoyede Charges Youths to Channel Creative Energies into Productive Ventures
ABUJA, NIGERIA – MAY 25, 2026
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has charged youths across the country to channel their creative energies into productive and legitimate ventures rather than engaging in internet fraud and other corrupt practices.
Olukoyede gave the charge on Thursday, May 21, 2026, during the launch of the Integrity Club at NAOWA College School, Abuja.
Represented at the event by the Head, Public Interface Unit of the Commission, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Tony Orilade, the EFCC Chairman described internet fraud as a despicable crime with no justification.
He advised the students to channel their creative energies into useful engagements rather than dishonest means of cheating others of their resources, stressing that internet crimes are economic crimes with severe penalties under the law.
Olukoyede described corruption as the compromise of rules, regulations, policies, standards and directive principles guiding the running of a system, adding that it also involves the deliberate use of public opportunities, resources and privileges for private gains.
He further enlightened the students on various offences under the investigative purview of the Commission, including money laundering, embezzlement, forgery, advance fee fraud, contract scam, employment scam, land and property fraud, tax fraud, internet fraud, stealing, bribery, procurement fraud and banking fraud.
Speaking on the objectives of the newly inaugurated Integrity Club, the EFCC Chairman stated that the initiative was established to promote openness and transparency, create awareness about the damaging effects of corruption, develop integrity and accountability among students, encourage information sharing with the EFCC, identify and confront corrupt tendencies and prepare members for future leadership responsibilities.
He warned the students against involvement in internet-related crimes such as romance scams, business email compromise, hacking, impersonation and forex scams, describing them as corrupt practices that must not be tolerated among young people.
Also speaking at the event, the Head, Enlightenment and Re-Orientation Unit of the Commission, Assistant Commander of the EFCC II, ACE II Aisha Mohammed, urged the students to take ownership of their future by resisting peer pressure and corrupt tendencies.
According to her, the EFCC places greater emphasis on prevention through enlightenment and re-orientation as part of efforts to combat economic and financial crimes in the country.
She disclosed that the Commission operates Integrity Clubs in primary and secondary schools as well as Zero Tolerance Clubs in tertiary institutions, while also collaborating with the National Youth Service Corps, faith-based organisations and civil society groups to promote integrity and ethical values.
Mohammed encouraged the students to remain focused on their ambitions and future aspirations, emphasizing that integrity remains essential to national development.
She reminded the students that their voices and actions matter in shaping a better society and urged them to contribute positively to their families, communities and the nation at large.
In his remarks, the Director of Administration, NAOWA College, Major F. E. Enenche, charged the students to become responsible and morally upright leaders, describing the establishment of the school’s Integrity Club as a significant step towards building a culture of transparency and accountability among young people.
He also commended the EFCC for its sustained efforts in promoting integrity and ethical conduct among Nigerian youths.
