The African Students Union Parliament (ASUP) has recognised the leadership of the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, in Nigeria’s fight against corruption and economic crimes.
The students honoured Olukoyede with the Pan-African Leadership Hall of Fame Award as Africa’s Patriotic Icon of Integrity and Leadership during a courtesy visit to the EFCC Corporate Headquarters on Friday, August 21, 2026.
According to an official statement signed by Dele Oyewale, Head, Media & Publicity, EFCC, the recognition was presented in acknowledgement of Olukoyede’s contributions to nation building and his efforts to combat economic crimes, cyber fraud and financial crimes.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the Nigerian representative of ASUP, Comrade James Uneze, said the students had closely followed the EFCC Chairman’s record in the fight against corruption and other forms of financial crimes, noting that his leadership had made an impact on Nigerians.
Uneze, a student of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, described Olukoyede as a role model whose efforts had given hope to Nigerians affected by financial crimes and economic hardship.
“Today, we have a man of integrity, a man with confidence in the person of Mr. Ola Olukoyede, the Executive Chairman who is fighting immensely to ensure that Nigeria attains its economic glory,” Uneze said.
He added that Olukoyede’s efforts in fighting corruption, tackling financial crimes and recovering stolen funds and properties were contributing to the achievement of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The student leader said the award was also connected to ASUP’s campaigns against cyber fraud, drug abuse, proliferation of small arms and light weapons and other social challenges affecting African youths.
Uneze called for greater youth participation in addressing the challenges confronting the continent, describing Pan-Africanism as the development of Africa by Africans and for Africa.
The award plaque described Olukoyede as “Africa’s patriotic icon of integrity and leadership” and cited his contributions to nation building, patriotism, economic and human capital development, renewal of the Pan-Africanism ideology and promotion of peace across racial, national and religious boundaries.
Receiving the award on behalf of Olukoyede, the Head of the EFCC’s Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit, Assistant Commander of EFCC, ACE II Aisha Mohammed, said the recognition demonstrated that the Commission’s efforts were being noticed and appreciated by young Africans.
Mohammed emphasised the importance of collaboration in the fight against corruption, saying no institution could effectively tackle the challenges alone.
“You cannot talk about EFCC without collaboration. It is part of our core values. We collaborate and we are open to collaboration. Nobody can do it alone,” she said.
She noted that Olukoyede also serves as Chairman of the Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA), describing the award as timely.
According to her, the EFCC maintains relationships with anti-corruption agencies across Africa and internationally, while collaboration remains central to its efforts against financial crimes.
Mohammed assured the delegation that the Commission would continue to strengthen partnerships with stakeholders, particularly young people, in the fight against corruption and other social vices.
The delegation comprised students from several African countries, including Nigeria, Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire.
