Everyone Should Get Involved in Fight against Corruption

– Olukoyede

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede has charged every Nigerian to get involved in the fight against corruption as the ills of the scourge spare no one.

He gave the charge in Abuja on Monday, October 13,2025 when the staff and students of Oloye Comprehensive College, Abuja came to EFCC Headquarters, Abuja on a study visit.

Olukoyede, who spoke through the Head of Public Interface, Assistant Commander of EFCC, ACE I Tony Orilade stated that the fight against corruption is for everyone and that students are not too young to fight the scourge as its contagion affects both the young and the old.

“While we fight corruption, economic and financial crimes, we now place priority on prevention. We that are here today will leave the stage tomorrow and younger people like you will occupy this place. Do everything to run away from any form of fraud because it is going to affect you as you journey in life. Be part of anti-corruption groups. If there is no Integrity Club in your school, do well to form one and be part of it so that you can also be part of fighting corruption anywhere you find yourself,” he said.

Chief Superintendent of EFCC, CSE Hakeem Lasisi of the Cybercrime Unit, who spoke on the causes and dangers of cybercrime and the preventive methods of the Commission, noting that while the internet has positive effects, some misguided people apply it in the negative sense and urged the students to be careful while operating in the cyberspace.

“We have seen a sharp decrease in the age of perpetrators. We have seen even people younger than you, using the internet in a negative sense. That’s why we are making more efforts to get the awareness across, so that you don’t get involved. Beware of unsolicited messages; be careful of the people you chat with online, avoid pirated software, you can also use anti-virus to protect your devices,” he said.

While attributing lack of awareness, peer pressure, curiosity, socio-economic factors and unemployment as some of the reasons why young people get involved in cyber fraud, he disclosed that the consequences of cybercrime can lead to emotional distress, reputational damage, limit career options, loss of trust and psychological distress, adding that getting awareness of the dangers of cyber crime, choosing positive role models and parental guidance through counseling help in guiding the youth aware from cybercrime.

Head of Enlightenment and Reorientation, Assistant Commander of EFCC, ACE II Aisha Mohammed took the students on a tour of the prevention efforts of the Commission against corruption, economic and financial crimes.

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“We don’t just arrest people, we look at prevention and we have programmes that are meant for prevention. We have formed Integrity Clubs in primary and secondary schools. The club is very active and the students are our foot soldiers in the fight against corruption in their schools, homes and communities. We do quarterly visits to schools wherever there is a new trend of cybercrime. Also we have a TV programme called the Eagle. There is the Zero Tolerance and the NYSC clubs. There are other engagements that involve the civil societies, inter-faith groups and clerics where we discuss how to fight corruption. We have governance accountability projects among other programs,” she said.

She enjoined the students to be good ambassadors of their school, families and communities at all times.

“To be an ambassador is by spreading the EFCC message, becoming a person of integrity, doing the right thing when nobody’s watching. Anywhere you see something, say something and the EFCC or your school authorities will do something,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the students, the newly appointed Ambassador of EFCC, Chukwuka Gabriella appreciated the Commission for the opportunity of the visit and expressed gratitude for all they have learnt. She promised on behalf of the others that they will spread the anti-corruption message when they get back to their families and communities.