The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ola Olukoyode has urged Nigerian youths to avoid internet fraud and direct their creative energies to nation building.

He charged the youths during the pioneer Kids and Teens STEAM Innovate Buildathon bootcamp, held for young people within the age bracket of seven and 18, on Wednesday, October 8.

The bootcamp was themed “Future Innovator: Young Minds, Big Ideas, Creating Tomorrow Today.”

Olukoyede who was represented by the Acting Director, Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, ACE1 Bawa Usman Kaltungo, advised the youth to embrace positive enterprises and steer clear of economic and financial crimes especially internet fraud.

This was disclosed in a statement via the X handle of the anti-graft agency, on Friday, October 10.

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The statement reads: “The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyode has charged Nigerian youths to shun internet fraud and direct their creative energies to nation building.

“He gave the charge on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at the pioneer Kids and Teens STEAM Innovate Buildathon bootcamp, held for young people within the age bracket of seven and 18, themed: ‘Future Innovator: Young Minds, Big Ideas, Creating Tomorrow Today’.

“In his keynote address, delivered by the Acting Director, Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE1 Bawa Usman Kaltungo, Olukoyede advised the youth to embrace positive enterprises and steer clear of economic and financial crimes especially internet fraud. While applauding innovative spirits, talents and skills of youths, he urged them to channel such gifts towards complementing the efforts of the government rather than engaging in activities that will destroy their future and threaten national progress.

” ‘A lot of negativity is going on among the youth but I urge you not to go with the tide. Desist from joining the bandwagon of internet fraud as there will be regrets in future. Your importance in our society cannot be taken lightly . Galvanise your thoughts in such a way that you can stand nationally or internationally when the opportunity presents itself. Your era is very different from ours,’ he said.”