The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has tasked students across the country to be loud in their opposition to any form of internet fraud, stressing that their voices matter in tackling the menace.
He made the appeal on Monday, March 10, 2025, during a sensitization and re-engagement visit to Doveland International School, Abuja. The event, held at the school’s assembly hall, was aimed at enlightening students about the dangers of internet fraud and corruption.
Representing the Chairman at the event, Head of the Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACEII Aisha Mohammed reiterated the Commission’s commitment to engaging the youth in the fight against corruption, stressing that talking loudly against corruption could positively cause a change of attitude by fraudsters and even the older generation.
“The future belongs to you. That’s why we are here, urging you to join this fight and secure a better future. The older generations are phasing out, and without proper guidance, the mess will keep recycling. Your voices matter. You matter. Please join us in this crusade and make Nigeria a better place for us all. Shun Yahoo Yahoo, exam malpractice, bullying, drugs, and other social vices,” she said.
Mr. Chris Oluka, Head of the Creative Communications Unit of the EFCC, urged the students to be good ambassadors of Nigeria and play active roles in rebuilding the nation’s reputation. He emphasized that the havoc being wreaked by internet fraudsters on the country’s image requires proactive efforts, particularly from the youth, to change the negative narrative.
“We are here today to let you know that you can be good ambassadors, foot soldiers, and take the front seat in this crusade to champion the fight against other social vices,” he said.
He encouraged the students to live upright lives and even educate their parents on the negative effects of corruption and how it hampers national development. Recalling his school days, Olukoyede noted that in his time, public school students enjoyed free education, including bursaries, uniforms, books, and food.
“Why don’t we have those things now? It’s because of corruption. Corruption is the reason we have bad roads, dilapidated hospitals and schools, lack of potable drinking water, unstable power supply, brain drain, poor working environments, and inadequate educational facilities. I’m saying enough is enough; let’s drive this fight together now and safeguard your future,” he said.
In her presentation, Eniola Kayode from the Cybercrime Section of the EFCC warned the students about the dangers of engaging with strangers online. She explained that doing so could make them easy targets for sextortion and other cybercrimes.
Kayode also cautioned against clicking on suspicious links sent to their devices, as hackers could easily gain access to sensitive information and then attempt to blackmail them. To avoid such threats, she advised the students not to keep nude pictures on their phones.
“When hackers gain access to your devices, they can start holding you to ransom. When this happens, report immediately to the EFCC, the police, your parents, or a trusted adult and ignore the threats from criminals,” she said.
The event also featured a quiz competition where students, Nifemi Odeseye and Yosola Ogunsola, emerged as winners. They were rewarded with brand-new mobile phones and were also appointed as EFCC Ambassadors to further spread the anti-corruption message among their peers.
The EFCC’s visit to Doveland International School is part of its ongoing effort to engage young Nigerians and promote integrity, discipline, and patriotism in the fight against corruption.
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