The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has charged youths in the country to take ownership of the fight against internet fraud for a cleaner and safer financial space and socio-economic development of the nation.
He gave the charge through the Acting Director of the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Hauwa Garba Ringim at the South-west Youth Multi – Stakeholders Security Summit, organized by the Coalition of Nigeria Youth on Security and Safety Affairs (CONYSSA), on Thursday, July 17, 2025 in Osogbo, Osun State.
Olukoyede, in his keynote address themed, “Uniting South-west Youths in the Fight against Internet Fraud, Money Laundering, Drug Abuse, Child Trafficking, and Economic Sabotage,” noted the pivotal role being played by the EFCC in re-orienting Nigerian youths against internet fraud, money laundering and the fight against corruption in the country and urged the youth to take ownership of the crusade for the sake of their own future.
“To curb internet fraud, Nigerian youths must assume ownership of the fight against the scourge; unlock their vast potentials and accelerate our journey towards sustainable economic growth,” he said.
He observed that the large number of youths’ involvement in cybercrime creates reputational damage to the country, while the crime destroys the youth that are involved in it.
While assuring CONYSSA and all relevant stakeholders of EFCC’s commitment to meaningful partnerships towards a corruption-free Nigeria and a safe and secure financial space, he stated that Nigerians must keep abreast of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing laws to avoid being caught on the wrong side of the law.
Olukoyede revealed a broader cybercrime reform of the EFCC that would require convicted internet fraudsters to share their stories publicly to serve as deterrence as well as a tool for sensitization of other youths on the risks associated with cybercrime.
Speaking at the event, the president of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Comrade Solomon Adodo disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was poised to support Nigerian youths who are ready to become productive forces for positive change and urged South-west youths to shun all forms of cybercrime and corruption in order to attract presidential interventions and support for their good endeavours.
Samuel Oludare, Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, urged youths in the region to engage in meaningful and purposeful activities on the internet that could make them self-reliant and independent, adding that the time has come for youths to drive the needed change for national development.
The Director General of CONYSSA, Ambassador Ade Mario Emmanuel highlighted the importance of unity of purpose and collaboration among stakeholders towards enthroning a safe financial ecosystem in the South-west that is devoid of internet fraud activities.
Media & Publicity
July 21, 2025
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