The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has charged youths across the country to join the Commission’s anti-corruption crusade, noting that the future of the nation largely depends on the younger generation’s commitment to integrity, transparency, and accountability.
He gave the charge recently when students of Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa State, visited the Commission on a study tour at the EFCC’s Corporate Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.
Olukoyede, who was represented by Deputy Commander of the EFCC (DCE) Nwanyinma Okeanu, underscored the strategic role of young people in shaping the nation’s destiny.
“The country’s future depends on you. You must therefore join the EFCC in cleansing the nation of all forms of economic and financial crimes for a better tomorrow,” he said.
He urged the students to contribute their quota to national development by upholding integrity and resisting negative influences.
“You need to do your part in developing this nation. Avoid bad company, focus on your studies, and be good ambassadors of your parents, your institution, your community, and the nation at large. Any country whose youth population is involved in fraud cannot have an assured future. Join the EFCC in making Nigeria great,” he added.
The EFCC boss further admonished the students to stay away from cybercrime and other fraudulent practices, noting that short-term gains from criminal activities often lead to long-term consequences, including reputational damage and imprisonment.
On her part, the Head of Enlightenment and Re-Orientation Unit of the Commission, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE II) Aisha Mohammed, emphasized the importance of youth participation in the anti-corruption fight. She enlightened the students on the tripartite mandate of the EFCC: prevention, investigation, and prosecution of economic and financial crimes.
She noted that the Commission has strengthened its preventive frameworks through the establishment of Integrity Clubs and Zero Tolerance Clubs in primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions across the country, as well as sustained collaboration with critical stakeholders.
“You are the future of this country. If you get it right, Nigeria will get it right. Be content. Don’t allow anyone to pressure you into living beyond your means. Always cut your coat according to your cloth,” she said.
In a presentation on cybersecurity, Inspector of the EFCC, Kayode Eniola, educated the students on the nature and consequences of cybercrime. She described cybercrime as criminal activity perpetrated through digital communication tools and internet-enabled platforms.
She identified phishing, hacking, and online romance scams as common forms of cybercrime.
“Hacking involves unauthorized access to another person’s system or network,” she explained, adding that victims of cybercrime often suffer financial losses, privacy breaches, and reputational damage.
She further advised the students to adopt preventive measures such as using strong passwords, updating their software regularly, avoiding suspicious links, and logging out of shared devices after use.
The visit featured an interactive session during which students asked questions about the Commission’s operations, as well as a quiz competition designed to assess their understanding of the lectures. Two students emerged as winners and were presented with souvenirs.
In her closing remarks, Chioma Obasi, a student of Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa State, expressed appreciation to the EFCC for the warm reception and the insights gained during the visit. She described the engagement as enlightening and impactful, noting that the interaction strengthened the bond between her institution and the Commission.
