Olukoyede Tasks Youths on Responsible Leadership, Accountability
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, has warned youths against internet fraud, Ponzi schemes, betting and other get-rich-quick practices, urging them to embrace integrity, financial discipline and legitimate means of earning a living.
He gave the warning in his goodwill message on Saturday, October 31, 2026, while speaking at an event organised by the Great Achievers Initiative for Youth and Community Development in Abuja. The event was themed, “Raising Responsible Leaders, Building Sustainable Nations”.
Olukoyede, who was represented at the event by the Head of the Commission’s Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit, Assistant Commander of EFCC, ACE II Aisha Mohammed, said responsible leadership was fundamental to the fight against economic and financial crimes, noting that leadership failure and corruption were closely linked.
He said no nation could achieve sustainable development on the foundation of corruption, fraud and financial indiscipline.
“No nation can build a sustainable future on the quicksand of corruption, fraud, and financial indiscipline.
“Sustainable nations are not built by natural resources alone, they are built by responsible people, leaders who understand that public trust is not for private gain, that integrity is not negotiable, and that accountability is not optional,” he said.
The EFCC chairman said the Commission had observed that the root of most financial crimes was a failure of values, adding that, “We arrest Yahoo boys who want quick wealth without work, we investigate corrupt officials who divert resources meant for communities, and we prosecute those who see leadership as an opportunity for enrichment, not service. This is why this theme resonates deeply with us.”
He said the EFCC’s mandate went beyond arresting and prosecuting offenders to include public enlightenment and value reorientation, particularly among young Nigerians.
According to him, the Commission, through its Public Affairs Department, has continued to establish Integrity Clubs in primary and secondary schools and Zero Tolerance Clubs in tertiary institutions to instil integrity and discourage financial crimes among students.
Olukoyede identified financial responsibility as another critical component of raising responsible leaders, urging youths to embrace legitimate earnings, savings, budgeting and delayed gratification.
He warned that the country could not achieve sustainable development if its young population continued to embrace Ponzi schemes, betting and the get-rich-quick syndrome.
The EFCC boss also stressed the need for deterrence, urging young Nigerians to understand that criminal activities such as internet fraud, money laundering and forgery carried consequences that could jeopardise their future opportunities.
“A criminal record for internet fraud, money laundering, or forgery will close doors to global opportunities forever. No responsible future is built with a compromised past,” he said.
He reminded the youths that leadership was not restricted to holding public offices, noting that they were already exercising leadership in their homes, schools, social media spaces and communities.
“The youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the leaders of today,” he said.
Olukoyede consequently urged them to prioritise integrity, diligence and service to humanity over popularity, internet fraud and selfish interests.
“I therefore charge you today: Be the responsible leader Nigeria is waiting for. Choose integrity over popularity. Choose diligence over Yahoo-Yahoo. Choose service over selfishness. A sustainable nation is simply a collection of responsible citizens doing the right thing daily,” he said.
He commended the Great Achievers Initiative for its efforts towards youth and community development, assuring that the EFCC was willing to partner with organisations promoting integrity, civic responsibility and responsible leadership among young Nigerians.
Media & Publicity
November 2, 2026
