The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has called on student leaders across the country to take the front seat in the fight against cybercrimes by upholding digital integrity and becoming change agents in their respective communities.
Olukoyede gave the charge in Abuja on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, while delivering a keynote address at the Zero Tolerance for Social Immoralities Initiative, ZETSI, Leadership Conference 3.0.
The Chairman who was represented by Head of Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit of the Commission, Assistant Commander of the EFCC II, Aisha Mohammed, stressed that youths are critical stakeholders in the battle against corruption and financial crimes, warning that cybercrimes not only destroys individual potentials but also undermines national development. “There is no virtue in deceit, no honour in impersonation, and no sustainable wealth in stealing from others. Nation builders cannot emerge from business breakers,” he said.
He lamented that Nigeria has lost significant financial and reputational wealth to internet fraud and urged students to reject cultism, fraud, money laundering, drug abuse, child trafficking, and economic sabotage.
Speaking on the theme “Digital Integrity and the Fight Against Cybercrime: Empowering Student Leaders as Change Agents”, the EFCC Boss explained that digital integrity entails truthfulness, accountability and respect for users and their data in the digital space. He outlined best practices for individuals and institutions to safeguard themselves online, including the use of strong passwords, two-factor authentication, updated software, antivirus protection, and vigilance against phishing attempts.
Highlighting EFCC’s initiatives, Olukoyede mentioned the establishment of a 24/7 Cybercrime Rapid Response Desk, the hosting of a National Cybercrime Summit, and the Commission’s collaborations with student unions and institutions through enlightenment programmes and anti-corruption clubs. He emphasized that empowering student leaders with knowledge and integrity will not only reduce cybercrimes but also build a generation of ethical leaders who can shape a better Nigeria.
On his part, the Inspector General of Police, represented by Deputy Superintendent of Police, Solomon Abba, delivered a paper on “Campus Safety and Crime Prevention: Strengthening Youth Leadership for Safer Communities.” He stressed that true security is not merely the absence of crime but the presence of values, urging students to shun cultism, drug abuse, cybercrime, and other vices. He applauded the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to deepening collaboration with youth-led groups through initiatives, including the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV).
Similarly, the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), represented by Etuka Chizoba Ifeoma, warned of the devastating effects of drug abuse on the nation’s youth. Presenting a paper on “Drug Abuse Awareness and Prevention: A Leadership Approach to Securing the Future of Nigerian Students,” Marwa described the menace as a national development challenge. He urged student leaders to lead by example, provide peer support and collaborate with stakeholders to secure campuses against substance abuse.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairperson of ZETSI Africa, Ambassador Ibrahim Abdulrazak Imam, noted that over 1,000 student leaders from across Nigeria and Africa registered for the conference, with a large percentage joining virtually. He said the gathering was established to provide a national platform for grooming student leaders as moral reformers and change agents against vices such as drug abuse, sexual harassment, cybercrime, examination malpractice and cultism. He also announced the inauguration of the Students Against Immoralities Club (SAI-Club) as a peer-led movement to institutionalize moral re-orientation and ethical leadership on campuses.
Media & Publicity
August 28. 2025
