Olukoyede Named Icon Of Anti-Corruption

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, has been honoured with the National Honorary Award as Nigeria`s Icon of anti-corruption, financial integrity, economic development and youth empowerment.

The honour was bestowed on him in Abuja on Tuesday, November 3 2026, at the National Youth Day organized by the Patriotic Nigeria Youth Forum in a programme themed “Reimaging the Nigerian Youth: Leadership, Innovation and a Greater Nation”.

The Convener and National Coordinator of the Forum, Comrade Olamide Odumosu, stated that the programme was organized as a call to action, a moment of reflection and a renewed commitment to building the Nigeria of our dreams, as a nation that invests in its young people invests in its future.
“ We cannot continue to celebrate the potential of our youths without creating the opportunities that will enable them to fulfil that potential, because young people are not only the leaders of tomorrow, they are leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs and nation`s builders of today” he said

The programme, according to him, was intended to provide a platform for meaningful conversations in leadership development, innovation, networking and renewed commitment to nation-building among Nigerian youths and for which the EFCC Chairman was recognized for his steadfast leadership in promoting integrity, protecting young people from crime, and advancing initiatives aimed at empowering Nigerian youths.

In a keynote address on “Nigerian Youth and the Fight Against Economic and Financial Crimes: Building a Culture of Integrity for National Development” Olukoyede, represented by the Head of Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE 11 Aisha Mohammed stated that the Nigerian youth “is the most potent demographic force in our nation with over 70% of the population under the age of 35, making it Nigerian`s greatest asset, adding that if the energy of that demography is not channeled into integrity and productivity, it becomes our greatest liability.”

“In the last 12 months alone, over 75% of convictions for internet-related fraud recorded by the Commission involved persons between the ages of 18 and 35. We see undergraduates who should be coding for innovation, coding for fraud. We see young ladies used as account mules. We see youths creating fake investment apps, fake vendor platforms, and engaging in sextortion and romance scams. This is not the Nigerian youth we are proud of. But I am not here to condemn, rather I am here to call you to action, because the same youth population that is vulnerable to crime is also the most powerful weapon against corruption” he said
Furthermore, he stressed that youths must lead and own the fight as the future of Nigeria is in their hands, encouraging them to be equipped with financial intelligence so as not to fall victim to scams and get rich quick syndrome.

“Second, you own the digital space, economic and financial crimes today are cyber-enabled. Who understands that space better than you? Your ability to detect, report, and reject online fraud is critical to national security. At the EFCC, we have moved beyond enforcement to prevention. We believe building integrity is cheaper and more sustainable than prosecuting crime. Our strategy rests on four pillars, and we need you on all four, re-orientation of values, financial literacy and responsibility, consequences and accountability, partnership and reward. My charge to you is that the EFCC cannot do it alone, so decide to be the example, decide to be informed and decide to be a whistleblower, not a spectator”, he said.

Also speaking, Minister of Youth Development, represented by Ngozi Icheke Ofurum stated that national development was not built in Aso Rock but built in the daily decisions of 220 million Nigerians.

“Let me use this opportunity to challenge the Nigerian youths to rise above ethnic differences, use their talents and energy to promote peace and development. Let’s build a Nigeria where everyone has equal chances to thrive. Let us rise with courage and innovation to lift this country to greater heights, because our main assets remain our youths. Not only as leaders of tomorrow but active partners in nation building” he said.