The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has urged Nigerian youths to channel their talents and creativity into legitimate ventures instead of engaging in internet fraud and other corrupt practices.
Olukoyede gave the charge on Thursday, May 21, 2026, during the inauguration of the Integrity Club at NAOWA College School, Abuja.
Represented by the Head of the Public Interface Unit of the Commission, Tony Orilade, the EFCC chairman described internet fraud as a disgraceful crime that has no justification.
He advised students to “channel their creative energies into useful engagements and not into dishonest and dubious means of cheating others of their resources,” stressing that “internet crimes are economic crimes and the penalties for them are stiff.”
Olukoyede described corruption as “the compromise of rules, regulations, policies, standards and directive principles of running a system,” adding that it also involves “the deliberate use of public opportunities, resources and privileges for private gains.”
He further educated the students on offences investigated by the EFCC, including money laundering, embezzlement, forgery, advance fee fraud, contract scams, employment scams, 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, Olukoyede said the initiative was designed to promote transparency, accountability and ethical conduct among students.
According to him, the club will also help create awareness about the harmful effects of corruption, encourage integrity, support information sharing with the EFCC and prepare students for future leadership roles.
“Every form of internet fraud, such as romance scam, business email compromise, hacking, impersonation, forex scam and others are corrupt practices and must not be found among you,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Aisha Mohammed urged the students to resist peer pressure and remain focused on building successful futures through honest means.
She explained that the EFCC places strong emphasis on prevention through enlightenment and re-orientation in its fight against economic and financial crimes.
According to her, the Commission operates Integrity Clubs in primary and secondary schools, as well as Zero Tolerance Clubs in tertiary institutions, while also partnering with the National Youth Service Corps, faith-based organisations and civil society groups to promote ethical values.
“You have to focus, you have to go for what you want and what you want to be in the future,” she told the students.
Mohammed further reminded the students of the important role they play in nation-building.
“You are very important, your voice matters. You must be good to your family, your community, your society, and Nigeria as a whole,” she said.
In his remarks, F. E. Enenche charged the students to become morally upright leaders and described the establishment of the Integrity Club as a major step towards promoting transparency and accountability among young Nigerians.
He also commended the EFCC for its continued efforts in promoting integrity and ethical conduct among youths.
The Principal of NAOWA College, in his closing remarks, expressed appreciation to the EFCC and guests at the event, noting that the inauguration of the Integrity Club marked a new chapter for the school in promoting discipline, accountability and ethical leadership among students.
