The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Ola Olukoyede, on Friday, February 20, 2026, charged the newly admitted students of Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja (formerly University of Abuja) to embrace integrity and position themselves as builders of a corruption-free Nigeria.
Speaking on integrity and nation-building, the EFCC boss, who was represented by the Head of Enlightenment and Reorientation Unit of the Commission, Assistant Commander of the EFCC II, Aisha Mohamme,d urged the students to shun corruption in all of its forms, noting that corruption undermines national development and erodes public trust.
“Corruption is the use of public resources, opportunities and privileges for private gain. It is compromising rules, regulations and procedures for private benefit. It is the deliberate manipulation of trust for selfish advantage,” he said.
He congratulated the new intakes on their admission, and described their admission into the university as “a privilege that comes with expectations from their parents, the school and the larger society. Prepare yourselves to be solutions to the needs of this nation. Decide to be builders and not breakers,” he said.
He enumerated common corrupt practices to include internet fraud, bank fraud, procurement fraud, money laundering, stealing, capital market fraud, advance fee fraud, sextortion and romance scam, warning the students against being lured into any of the criminal activities.
Taking them on a brief excursion of the activities of the Commission, Olukoyede stated that the EFCC’s mandate centred around investigation, prosecution and prevention of economic and financial crimes.
“The EFCC is not only about arrest and prosecution. We are deeply committed to prevention. That is why we are here today, to engage you early and guide you on the right path,” he said.
He encouraged the students to partner with the Commission in the fight against corruption, economic and financial crimes by becoming change agents and good ambassadors of integrity within and outside the campus.
“You can join the EFCC in fighting corruption by being change agents; by serving as good ambassadors of your families and this institution; by blowing the whistle when necessary, and by rejecting false narratives about the Commission. Most importantly, shun internet fraud and all forms of criminality,” he said.
He assured the students that they can all realise their life goals through hard work on ethical endeavours.
“Yes, you can succeed without corruption. Through entrepreneurship, innovation, content creation and by harnessing your talents, whether in singing, drama, dancing or other creative endeavours, you can build a bright and rewarding future,” he said.
In her remarks, the representative of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Rosemary Udeozor, pledged the commitment of the university community to sustaining initiatives that promote a cybercrime-free campus. She encouraged the new students to key into the Zero Tolerance Club, ZTC, of the EFCC and other integrity-driven platforms in the school.
Other stakeholders who addressed the students on the occasion included representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Eze Chidiebere, a Superintendent of Police, the Director of the Counselling Centre, the Director of Safety, the Student Affairs Division, and the Assistant Admission Officer.
