EFCC Boss Olukoyede Urges Engineering Graduates to Uphold Integrity, Shun Corruption
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has urged newly inducted engineering graduates to uphold integrity, transparency and accountability while discharging their professional responsibilities.
Olukoyede gave the charge on Thursday, November 12, 2026, during the induction ceremony of 45 engineering graduates of Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI), held in Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Delivering a lecture titled, “Integrity, Accountability and the Fight Against Economic and Financial Crimes: Building a Culture of Transparency and Responsibility in Nigeria,” the EFCC chairman described integrity as the foundation of ethical leadership and responsible service.
He warned that corruption in both public and private sectors remained a major impediment to Nigeria’s development, stressing that professionals, particularly engineers, must uphold ethical standards in project execution.
According to him, compromised engineering standards could endanger lives, weaken public confidence and undermine infrastructure development.
He noted that a lack of integrity could encourage professionals to falsify records, manipulate contracts, divert public funds and compromise the quality of projects meant to serve the public.
Olukoyede challenged the newly inducted graduates not to use their professional positions for personal enrichment at the expense of the public interest.
“Where there is integrity, no public official will embezzle public funds, and where there is integrity, no engineer will certify a poorly executed project,” he said.
The EFCC boss lamented that despite Nigeria’s abundant natural and human resources, corruption, poor accountability and mismanagement of national wealth continued to hinder the country’s progress.
He disclosed that the Commission had secured 10,872 convictions and recovered monetary assets worth over N1.288 trillion in the last three years as part of its efforts to combat economic and financial crimes.
However, he maintained that the fight against corruption required more than investigations, arrests and prosecutions, emphasising the need for a fundamental change in individual and national values.
He explained that the EFCC had strengthened its preventive approach through its Fraud Risk Assessment and Control (FRAC) department, which identifies systemic weaknesses in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that could create opportunities for fraud.
Olukoyede also cautioned the students against cybercrime, identity theft, internet fraud and other illicit activities, warning that the temporary financial gains from criminal activities could destroy their reputations and future prospects.
He disclosed that the Commission was investing in a Cybercrime Research Centre at its academy in Abuja to promote research, training, fraud prevention and the redirection of young people towards ethical practices.
The EFCC chairman further called on families, educational institutions, religious organisations, traditional rulers and professional bodies to work together in promoting integrity and accountability across society.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of BOUESTI, Prof. Babatunde Omojola, said the induction ceremony reflected the university’s commitment to producing competent graduates equipped with professional responsibility.
Omojola stressed that universities must provide students with the knowledge, practical skills and ethical values required to address societal challenges in an increasingly technology-driven world.
He urged the inductees to justify the confidence reposed in them by the institution, maintain the standards of the engineering profession and deploy their expertise towards national development.
The Vice-Chancellor also commended the EFCC chairman for his efforts towards sanitising the country and honouring the university’s invitation.
In his welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Engr. S.A. Akinola, described the ceremony as a significant milestone for the university, faculty and engineering profession.
Akinola identified knowledge, responsibility and partnership as the three pillars guiding the faculty’s vision, noting that engineering education must extend beyond theoretical learning to practical solutions to societal challenges.
He disclosed that the faculty was promoting innovation through student projects in sensor-based systems, automation, solar energy and other technology-driven solutions.
The dean also revealed plans to establish an engineering innovation scale-up facility, modern workshops and collaborative learning spaces to expose students to contemporary engineering tools and technologies.
He called for partnerships with professional bodies, government institutions, corporate organisations and development partners to support the faculty’s development initiatives.
