The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has expressed deep concern over the increasing involvement of young Nigerians in fraudulent activities, attributing the troubling trend to laziness, greed, and the pursuit of quick wealth.

According to the Commission, the growing obsession with material success among the youth has continued to erode moral values and weaken the nation’s ethical foundations. The EFCC described the situation as a dangerous shift in mindset — one where many young people now prioritize luxury and fame over hard work, discipline, and integrity. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

EFCC Urges Youths to Embrace Integrity and Hard Work

The Commission’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, made the remarks during an orientation and sensitisation programme held for new students of the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Nigerian Air Force, Mando, Kaduna, for the 2025/2026 academic session.

Represented by Chief Superintendent Nana Fatima Abubakar from the EFCC Public Affairs Department in Kaduna, Olukoyede delivered a lecture titled “Dangers of Cybercrime.”

He urged Nigerian youths to shun the temptation of quick riches through illegal means and instead build their future on honesty, dedication, and resilience.

“There is no shortcut to wealth,” Olukoyede emphasized.
“True success is earned through hard work, perseverance, and integrity. The urge to get rich overnight has destroyed many promising lives.”

He further warned that cybercrime and other forms of financial fraud not only attract criminal prosecution but also lead to loss of freedom, damaged reputation, depression, and even untimely death.

The Dangers of Quick Wealth Mentality

The EFCC boss lamented that a disturbing number of young Nigerians now regard internet fraud — popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo” — as an easy path to success. He noted that this mindset is being fueled by social media influencers and peer groups that glorify extravagant lifestyles without revealing the dark side of such pursuits.

According to him, “The constant display of luxury cars, designer clothes, and foreign trips online has created unrealistic expectations among youths, who now believe crime is the only way to achieve success.”

Olukoyede called on students to resist peer pressure and channel their creativity toward legitimate ventures such as digital entrepreneurship, software development, and innovation, adding that the same internet space used for fraud can also serve as a tool for positive impact.

Greed, Laziness, and Peer Pressure Identified as Key Drivers

Speaking further, the EFCC identified greed, laziness, lack of patriotism, and peer pressure as major factors driving young people into financial crimes.

Nana Fatima Abubakar, who represented the Chairman, explained that many of the youths arrested for cybercrime confessed to being influenced by friends who flaunted sudden wealth.

“They want to live big without putting in effort. Some even go as far as combining fraud with drug use and fetish practices. It’s a dangerous cycle of moral decay,” she said.

The Commission emphasized that education remains the strongest weapon against corruption and urged academic institutions to integrate anti-corruption and digital ethics awareness into their curriculum to guide students early.

EFCC Promotes Whistleblowing and Digital Reporting

In its ongoing effort to tackle economic crimes, the EFCC also encouraged students and the general public to play an active role by reporting suspicious activities through its Eagle Eye App.

Olukoyede assured that all reports are treated with strict confidentiality and that the identity of whistleblowers remains fully protected.

He reiterated that the Commission remains committed to safeguarding Nigeria’s image and future, but stressed that the fight against cybercrime cannot succeed without the active participation of citizens.

“Every youth has a choice to make — to build or to destroy. We urge you to choose the path of honor. Nigeria needs your creativity and innovation, not crime and corruption,” he concluded.

The EFCC’s latest warning serves as a timely reminder that while technology has opened doors to global opportunities, it has also become a tool for exploitation in the wrong hands. The Commission insists that the only sustainable route to success lies in honesty, consistency, and hard work.