Olukoyede Urges Student Leaders to Champion Digital Integrity, Combat Cybercrime

In a decisive call to action, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has urged student leaders nationwide to take proactive leadership in combating cybercrime by upholding digital integrity and fostering ethical conduct within their communities.

Speaking on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at the Zero Tolerance for Social Immoralities Initiative (ZETSI) Leadership Conference 3.0 in Abuja, Olukoyede emphasized the pivotal role youths play in the fight against corruption and financial crimes. Represented by EFCC Assistant Commander Aisha Mohammed at the event, he warned against the far-reaching consequences of cybercrime, which he said destroys individual potentials and undermines Nigeria’s national development. “There is no virtue in deceit, no honour in impersonation, and no sustainable wealth in stealing from others. Nation builders cannot emerge from business breakers,” Olukoyede stated.

He urged students to reject all forms of social vices, including cultism, fraud, money laundering, drug abuse, child trafficking, and economic sabotage. Expounding on the conference theme, “Digital Integrity and the Fight Against Cybercrime: Empowering Student Leaders as Change Agents,” the EFCC Chairman described digital integrity as encompassing truthfulness, accountability, and respect for users and their data in the online space.

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To reinforce this, Olukoyede outlined best practices for digital safety, such as using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, keeping software updated, deploying antivirus protection, and maintaining vigilance against phishing attempts.

Highlighting EFCC’s ongoing initiatives, he noted the establishment of a 24/7 Cybercrime Rapid Response Desk, the hosting of a National Cybercrime Summit, and active collaborations with student unions and educational institutions through enlightenment programs and anti-corruption clubs. The Chairman expressed confidence that empowering student leaders with knowledge and integrity will significantly reduce cybercrimes and cultivate a generation of ethical leaders who can influence a brighter future for Nigeria.

Representing the Inspector General of Police, Deputy Superintendent Solomon Abba spoke on “Campus Safety and Crime Prevention,” urging students to uphold strong values to ensure real security. He applauded the police’s efforts to collaborate with youth-led organizations through programs such as the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV).

Similarly, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), represented by Etuka Chizoba Ifeoma on behalf of Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), addressed the disastrous impact of drug abuse on youth, urging student leaders to serve as examples, provide peer support, and work with stakeholders to safeguard campuses against substance abuse.

Ambassador Ibrahim Abdulrazak Imam, Chairperson of ZETSI Africa, in his welcome address, revealed that over 1,000 student leaders from Nigeria and other African countries participated in the conference, a significant number joining virtually. He emphasized the initiative’s mission to groom student leaders as moral reformers combating vices such as drug abuse, sexual harassment, cybercrime, examination malpractice, and cultism. He also announced the formation of the Students Against Immoralities Club (SAI-Club), a peer-led movement dedicated to institutionalizing moral reorientation and ethical leadership on campuses.

The conference marks a vital step in consolidating efforts by the EFCC and allied agencies to strengthen youth leadership in the fight against cyber-related and social vices, leveraging digital integrity as a cornerstone for national progress and sustainable development.