By Nkechi Eze
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has cautioned Nigerian youths to steer clear of corruption and other social vices, urging them to position themselves as responsible future leaders and nation builders.
Olukoyede gave the advice on Friday, February 20, 2026, at the Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate of the EFCC when members of the Youth Anti-Corruption Society paid a courtesy visit to the commission.
According to a statement issued by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC boss charged the youths to always follow the path of integrity, stressing that the consequences of corruption far outweigh any perceived short-term gains.
He urged them to serve as ambassadors and foot soldiers in the fight against corruption, internet fraud and other related crimes, noting that their role was critical to building a better society.
Olukoyede, who spoke through the Acting Director of the Port Harcourt Zonal Directorate, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Hassan Saidu, assured the delegation that the nation was counting on young people to drive positive change through attitudinal transformation.
“That’s why the Commission is trying its best to catch up with youths as you are the leaders of tomorrow,” he said.
He further emphasised the importance of youth participation in national development, saying, “To make the society a better place for our survival, we must prevent the leakages in our environment. The youths are the movers of the nation. The government and the Commission are doing their best to develop the nation and to empower the youths for the good of the society.”
Earlier, leader of the delegation, Comrade Sampson Abibo, commended the EFCC for the warm reception and the opportunity to engage the commission, noting that the visit was aimed at strengthening existing collaboration in the anti-corruption fight.
He disclosed that the Youth Anti-Corruption Society had partnered with the EFCC for the past five years in Rivers State and had launched the “Student Anti-Corruption Initiative of Nigeria,” a campaign designed to discourage social vices, drug abuse and theft among students in both primary and secondary schools.
Abibo added that the organisation remained committed to working with the EFCC to combat internet fraud, cyberbullying, hacking and other criminal activities that negatively impact society.
He reaffirmed the group’s readiness to deepen collaboration with the commission in promoting integrity and responsible conduct among Nigerian youths.
