Olukoyede Urges Nigerian Youths to Embrace Integrity, Innovation

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has urged Nigerian youths to uphold integrity and ethical behaviour as critical tools for national development and a sustainable future.

Olukoyede gave the charge on Wednesday at the Dreamrise Festival 2026, a national youth celebration held in Abuja with the theme: “The Future We are Building.”

Represented by the Head of EFCC Radio Station, Deputy Commander of the EFCC, Nwanyinma Okeanu, the anti-graft agency boss said integrity remains the foundation of genuine leadership and nation-building.

Addressing participants drawn from across the country, he stressed that the future of Nigeria largely depends on the values embraced by young people and the decisions they make.

According to him, although the EFCC’s mandate is to combat economic and financial crimes, the Commission believes that the most effective anti-corruption strategy is to reorient young people towards integrity and ethical living.

Olukoyede disclosed that the Commission had continued to establish Integrity Clubs in primary and secondary schools, as well as Zero Tolerance Clubs in tertiary institutions across the country, to instill moral values in students.

“Leadership starts with character, not title. Real leadership begins when a young person refuses to cheat in an examination, rejects cybercrime and chooses honesty over shortcuts,” he said.

The EFCC chairman also warned against the misuse of technology and innovation, noting that creativity without ethics could easily lead to criminality.

“Nigeria has some of the brightest young minds in the world. Your ideas and skills can solve problems in agriculture, health, education and finance. But innovation without integrity is dangerous. Technology without ethics becomes a tool for exploitation,” he said.

He lamented the growing involvement of youths in cybercrime, describing it as self-sabotage and a waste of talent that could otherwise be channelled into productive ventures.

“True innovators create value, not victims. I urge you to channel your creativity into enterprises and ideas that solve real problems and create jobs for others,” he added.

Also speaking during a panel session, the Head of Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit of the EFCC, Aisha Mohammed, said the Commission remained committed to guiding young people towards integrity and responsible living.

“Whatever you want to become, fashion designer, entrepreneur, musician or broadcaster, do it right and be good at it,” she said.

Mohammed urged youths to avoid all forms of economic and financial crimes, stressing that they represent the future of the country.

In her welcome address, the Executive Director of the Lola Cater Foundation, Ololade Ogunnubi, said the initiative was designed to nurture young Nigerians into future leaders and innovators capable of providing solutions to societal challenges.

She noted that empowering young people early would help shape them into ethical thinkers and responsible leaders for national development, while encouraging participants not to see themselves as too young to make meaningful impact in society.