The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has identified sports development as a powerful tool for reducing cybercrime, youth unemployment and insecurity across Nigeria.
Olukoyede made the assertion during a courtesy visit by members of the Association of Directors of Sports from the Armed Forces, Police and Paramilitary Agencies to the President of the Organisation of Military Sports in Africa (OSMA), Major General Maikano Abdullahi (rtd), in Abuja.
Represented by the Head of EFCC Sports, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE II) Halilu Dauda, the anti-graft agency boss said sports have the capacity to positively engage young people, provide career opportunities and redirect their energy away from criminal activities.
According to him, the EFCC has successfully integrated many young Nigerians into its workforce through sports programmes, giving them opportunities to develop their talents and build sustainable careers.
He noted that expanding sports initiatives across public institutions would significantly reduce the number of youths vulnerable to cybercrime and other forms of criminality.
Olukoyede further argued that structured sporting activities could also contribute to addressing broader security challenges by keeping young people productively engaged while fostering discipline, teamwork and personal development.
Responding, Major General Abdullahi commended the delegation for its commitment to strengthening sports development within security and paramilitary agencies.
He described sports as one of the world’s largest economic sectors, creating opportunities for participants, spectators, marketers and administrators alike.
The former military officer stressed the need for stronger collaboration among agencies to identify and nurture sporting talents capable of representing Nigeria on the continental and global stage.
Abdullahi also called for increased awareness and institutional support for military and paramilitary sports programmes, noting that such initiatives promote unity, discipline, social integration and national pride.
He expressed confidence that a coordinated sports structure among security and paramilitary organisations could produce highly competitive teams capable of excelling across Africa.
Also speaking, Commandant of Sports of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lawal Oladipo, who represented the leader of the delegation, emphasised the importance of sports as a platform for strengthening relationships among security agencies.
According to him, enhanced sporting collaboration would improve coordination, foster information sharing and contribute to national security objectives.
Oladipo added that sports competitions among agencies would deepen patriotism, reinforce esprit de corps and provide opportunities to discover and develop athletes for national and international events.
The stakeholders agreed that greater investment in sports development remains critical to youth empowerment, talent discovery and nation-building.
