The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has blamed the growing rate of fraud in Nigeria on “laziness” and “greed” among young people.
The anti-graft agency warned that the constant pursuit of quick wealth continues to destroy lives and reputations across the country.
EFCC Urges Youths to Embrace Integrity
According to the Commission, many Nigerian youths now see internet fraud as the fastest route to success rather than working hard, staying patient, and being dedicated.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, urged young people to embrace integrity and ethical values as they prepare to become future leaders.
He made this known during an orientation and sensitisation programme for new students of the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Nigerian Air Force, Mando, Kaduna, for the 2025/2026 academic session.
Olukoyede, who was represented by Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, Nana Fatima Abubakar, from the Public Affairs Department of the Kaduna Zonal Directorate, delivered a lecture titled “Dangers of Cybercrime.”
“No Shortcut to Wealth”
He reminded the students that there is no shortcut to wealth, stressing that success only comes through hard work, perseverance, and dedication.
He added that the urge to get rich quickly often results in loss of freedom, image damage, depression, or even untimely death.
The EFCC noted that while youths are mostly behind cybercrime in Nigeria, they can use the same internet space positively to earn honest income.
Greed and Peer Pressure Among Causes
Olukoyede further identified peer pressure, greed, laziness, and lack of patriotism as major reasons why many youths fall into cybercrime.
He also warned that some have now mixed internet fraud with drug abuse and fetish practices, deepening the moral decay.
The EFCC Chairman encouraged students to support the fight against corruption by reporting any fraudulent activities through the Commission’s Eagle Eye App, assuring that the identity of whistleblowers will remain anonymous.