By Nkechi Eze
In a renewed effort to foster moral values and discourage corruption from an early age, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has inaugurated Integrity Clubs in 57 public primary schools under the Lagos Mainland Local Government Education Authority (LGEA). The event was held on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB) office in Yaba, Lagos.
According to an official signed statement by the Commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the initiative is part of the EFCC’s ongoing sensitization campaign aimed at instilling anti-corruption values in young Nigerians and promoting ethical conduct from the grassroots.
Speaking during the launch, the Acting Zonal Director of EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE I), Ahmed Ghali, urged the pupils to steer clear of acts that could jeopardize their future. “You are young and you have a lot of opportunities that can guarantee you a bright future; so, the world is your oyster,” he said.
“Anywhere you go, your words and deeds must always speak volumes about your uncompromising stance against any act that fails the test of integrity. Let the people see you as disciplined and good role models. Be good children to your parents; always listen to their advice and that of the elders; don’t involve yourself in examination malpractice or cultism and always condemn bad acts whenever you see them,” Ghali charged.
The EFCC official emphasized that members of the Integrity Club are expected to promote and advocate core values such as integrity, honesty, discipline, responsibility, tolerance, and patriotism within their schools and communities. He also cautioned against the growing trend of youth involvement in cybercrime.
“You are in your formative age, so I urge you to always try to resist any temptation to be involved in cybercrimes, particularly if you have access to a smart phone or any internet-enabled device. The internet has a lot of merits and demerits. But I want you to consider making positive use of it, as using it otherwise can be counterproductive,” he warned.
Ghali highlighted that cybercrimes such as romance scams, identity theft, hacking, impersonation, and online fraud are increasingly committed by the youth. He appealed to the pupils to be vigilant and use the internet responsibly.
As part of the event, Ghali called on school Head Teachers and Guidance Counsellors to act as the EFCC’s partners in nurturing the Integrity Clubs and instilling positive moral values in the pupils. “Be the eyes and ears of the Commission regarding this patriotic journey of shaping the minds of the youngsters, who are the future leaders of this country,” he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, Hon. Tajudeen Tijani, Education Secretary of Lagos Mainland LGEA, expressed appreciation to the EFCC for introducing the initiative and described it as timely and vital to the moral development of the pupils. He emphasized the importance of integrity and responsible behaviour in shaping Nigeria’s future.
“You should consider yourselves very lucky to be here today. You are more than this in your various schools, but you have been chosen to witness this inauguration of the Integrity Club in your respective schools. If you don’t have integrity, you can never go far. Don’t do what is bad; always do the right things,” Tijani advised the students.
He also urged school administrators to sustain the clubs in their respective institutions, warning that failure to instil the right values early could result in long-term societal consequences. “The students are innocent; they don’t know anything; they are just like raw materials that you can push here and there. God forbid, if these children imbue wrong concepts from now, Nigeria will have a lot of issues to deal with when they grow older,” he said.
The 57 schools where the Integrity Clubs were launched include Adekunle Anglican Primary School Makoko; African Church Primary School Yaba; Ago Egba Methodist Primary School and Ago Ijaye Methodist Primary School, Ebute Metta; Ahmadiyya Primary School Iwaya; Aiyetero African Church Primary School Makoko; Akoka Primary School; All Saints Anglican Primary School Yaba; Army Children School Yaba; A.U.D Primary Schools at Odunfa and Osholake; Banjo Primary School Otumara; Catholic Girls Primary School Ebute Metta; Christ Church Primary Schools at Odunfa and Oyingbo; Ebenezer Primary School Otumara; Ebute Metta Primary School; Fadeyi Primary School; Fazil Omar School Iwaya; Herbert Macaulay Primary School Yaba; Hussey Military Primary School Yaba; Ijero Baptist Primary School Ebute Metta; Ladi Lak Institute Primary School Yaba; Kadara Primary School Ebute Metta; Lagos Street African Church Primary School; L.M.L.G. Primary Schools at Fadeyi and Ijero Ebute Metta; Makoko Anglican Primary School; MaryW Primary School Ebute Metta; Military Primary Schools at Yaba and Morocco; MT. Carmel Convent Primary School; MyHoung Military Primary School Yaba; National Primary School Abule Ijesa; Olimo Memorial Primary School Onike; Oluwole Primary School Akoka; Onayade Community Primary School Fadeyi; Onike Girls Baptist Primary School; Oruku Primary School; Otto Primary School; Our Lady of Apostles Primary School Yaba; Senator Oluremi Tinubu Model Primary School Onike; Salvation Army Primary Schools at Omo Baba and Freeman; Seventh Day Adventist Primary School Abule Oja; Saint Agnes Primary School Yaba; Saint Dominic Catholic Primary School Yaba; Saint Jude Anglican Primary School Ebute Metta; Saint Patrick Catholic Primary School Yaba; Saint Paul and Saint Peters’ Catholic Primary Schools Ebute Metta; Talim ul Islam Primary School Yaba; The Apostolic Primary School Ebute Metta; U.A.M.C. (Eleja) Primary School Ebute Metta; Yaba Methodist Primary School and Modupe Cole Memorial Treatment Home School Akoka, as well as Iponri Olaleye Community Primary School Ebute Metta.
