Joseph Bakare
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede has charged Nigerian youths to embrace ethical behaviour and innovation as tools for national development and sustainable future.
He gave the charge in Abuja on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at the Dreamrise Festival 2026, a National Young People Celebration, themed “The Future We are Building.”
Olukoyede, who was represented by the Head of EFCC Radio Station, Deputy Commander of the EFCC, DCE Nwanyinma Okeanu, noted that integrity remained the foundation of true leadership and nation-building.
Addressing the participants drawn from across the country, Olukoyede noted that the future of Nigeria depended largely on the values of young people and the choices they made.
He stated that while the EFCC’s mandate is to combat economic and financial crimes, the Commission recognizes that the most effective anti-corruption strategy is reorienting young people to embrace integrity as a way of life.
He disclosed that the Commission has continued to establish Integrity Clubs in primary and secondary schools as well as Zero Tolerance Clubs in tertiary institutions across the country to inculcate ethical values in students.
“Leadership starts with character, not title. Real leadership begins when a young person refuses to cheat in an examination, rejects cybercrime and chooses honesty over shortcuts,” he said.
The EFCC boss warned the youths against the misuse of innovations and technology, stressing that creativity without ethics could easily degenerate into criminality.
“Nigeria has some of the brightest young minds in the world. Your ideas and skills can solve problems in agriculture, health, education and finance. But innovation without integrity is dangerous. Technology without ethics becomes a tool for exploitation,” he said.
He regretted the increasing involvement of youths in cybercrime, describing it as self-sabotage and a waste of talent that could otherwise be deployed for productive ventures.
“True innovators create value, not victims. I urge you to channel your creativity into enterprises and ideas that solve real problems and create jobs for others,” he said.
Also speaking during a panel discussion on the theme of the event, the Head of Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE11 Aisha Mohammed, stated that the Commission remained committed to directing the minds of young people onto the paths of integrity and responsible lifestyle, adding that the Commission guides youths to excel in their chosen careers and in the upholding of ethical standards.
“Whatever you want to become, fashion designer, entrepreneur, musician or broadcaster, do it right and be good at it,” she said.
She urged the youth to avoid all forms of economic and financial crimes, noting that they represent the future of Nigeria.
In her welcome address, the convener and executive director of the Lola Cater Foundation, Ololade Ogunnubi, said the initiative was designed to nurture young Nigerians into future leaders and innovators, capable of providing solutions to societal challenges.
She noted that empowering young people early enough would help them become ethical thinkers and responsible leaders for national development. He encouraged the participants not to see themselves as too young to lead or make an impact in society.