EFCC delivers anti-corruption message to corps members

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has urged members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to take ownership of the fight against corruption by embracing integrity and dedication to honest work, stressing that Nigeria’s development depends largely on their commitment to eradicating corrupt practices.

Olukoyede gave the charge on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Kubwa, Abuja, while addressing Batch “A” Stream I corps members.

Speaking through the Superintendent of the EFCC, SE Johnson Oloyede, during a lecture titled “The Role of Youth in the Anti-Corruption Fight,” the EFCC Chairman described young people as critical stakeholders in the campaign against economic and financial crimes.

“One critical group of stakeholders in the anti-corruption fight is the youth. Beyond being the leaders of tomorrow, many economic crimes, especially cybercrimes, are committed by young people. I encourage you to take ownership of the fight against corruption,” he said.

Olukoyede further challenged the corps members to see themselves as vanguards of positive change, urging them to become “foot soldiers” in the collective effort to rid the nation of corruption and economic crimes.

“It is not enough to see yourselves as youths in today’s Nigeria; you must carry yourselves as new-breed youths. A new-breed youth should be angry with the failures of the past and develop strengths for new successes. Decide to be a solution rather than a problem, a builder not a breaker, a thinker not a plunderer. Nigeria needs youths who will serve as catalysts of development and springboards of progress,” he said.

At the NYSC Orientation Camp in Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos, Olukoyede also urged corps members to design unique ways of contributing to nation-building. Represented by the Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Babatunde Sulaiman, Head of the Public Affairs Department, Lagos Zonal Directorate II, he said self-determination for national advancement could be achieved by forming pressure groups against corruption or joining organisations promoting financial integrity.

He encouraged corps members to align with individuals and groups supporting the EFCC’s mandate.

“You can also stand with those defending the EFCC against its detractors. There are roles to play if only you choose a positive path. I also urge you to join the EFCC-Community Development Group, which works closely with the Commission to advance its cause and project its values,” he said.

At the NYSC Orientation Camp in Nangere, Yobe State, Olukoyede, represented by the Maiduguri Zonal Director, Commander of the EFCC, CE Aisha A. T. Habib, tasked corps members to serve as whistleblowers, stressing that such engagement offers an opportunity to demonstrate patriotism by exposing corrupt practices.

“Exposing corruption around you is not only obligatory, it is patriotic. The EFCC relies on you to report shady dealings in your environment. You can conveniently do this through the Eagle Eye App, a digital platform for reporting corruption,” he said.

He added that corps members must consciously decide whether to contribute positively or negatively to the nation’s future.

“You have to choose whether you want to be a light-bearer or a light-breaker, to lift the burden of the nation or be a burden to be lifted. There comes a time in everyone’s life when such decisions are imperative, and you have come to that season,” he said.

In Rivers State, at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Nonwa-Gbam, Port Harcourt, Olukoyede urged corps members to build new national strengths where the country had failed in the past.

“With its immense natural and human resources, Nigeria is still struggling to find its place among developed nations. This should challenge you into new resolutions of progress. You must seek success for the nation where it has previously failed,” he said.

Similarly, in Kaduna State, the EFCC Chairman, represented by Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, CSE Nana Abubakar of the Public Affairs Department, Kaduna Zonal Directorate, emphasized that unemployment should never be used to justify criminality. He stressed that cybercrime is not a solution to economic challenges and urged corps members to use their community development activities to campaign against internet fraud.

Olukoyede delivered similar messages to corps members in Uyo, Ibadan, Gombe, Enugu, Ilorin, and other orientation camps across the country.