Amanze ChinonyeThe Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has implored Nigerian youths to actively resist corruption and financial crimes, stressing that their integrity is foundational to the nation’s progress.
Delivering the message on Monday at the 13th Annual Teenagers’ Workshop hosted by Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society in Mararaba, Olukoyede represented by EFCC Assistant Commander Aisha Mohammed lamented the deep-rooted nature of corruption in Nigeria and urged the younger generation to be at the forefront of change.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“You matter most to us because you are the future of this country… Corruption is the reason we have poor hospitals, bad roads, substandard schools and a failing educational system. Do not wait. Fight it. Resent it wherever you see it happening” he declared.
“The moment you lose integrity, you lose everything. Make integrity your trademark. So join hands with the EFCC to drive corruption out of Nigeria.”
During an interactive session, EFCC Assistant Superintendent Ilyasu Bala distinguished the mandates of Nigeria’s anti-graft agencies: The EFCC tackles financial crimes such as money laundering, fraud, illicit financing, and asset seizure, while the ICPC focuses on public sector corruption, including embezzlement, abuse of office, and unethical conduct by public officials.
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Habiba Ahmed, Director of Empowerment at Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society, lauded the EFCC’s youth engagement efforts, emphasizing the importance of instilling values of leadership, integrity, and civic responsibility in teenagers. She also encouraged them to spread the anti-corruption message widely.
Nigeria continues to lose staggering amounts of money each year to corrupt practices. According to economic researchers, the country forfeits about $18 billion annually to corruption and fraudulent procurement processes, a figure equivalent to nearly 3.8% of its GDP.
On the other hand, the EFCC has reported progress in recovering illicit funds, announcing that it recovered nearly $500 million in misappropriated assets within a year. However, experts warn that despite these recoveries, systemic corruption and cyber-enabled financial crimes remain a heavy drag on Nigeria’s economic growth and global reputation.
Analysts say youth-focused anti-corruption campaigns are not just symbolic but essential. With more than 60% of Nigeria’s population under 25, the fight against corruption will ultimately depend on whether the next generation embraces transparency and accountability over self-enrichment.
By targeting teenagers early, the EFCC hopes to nurture a culture of integrity that could gradually shift Nigeria away from entrenched patterns of graft laying the foundation for stronger institutions, better governance, and sustainable economic growth.
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