EFCC chairman urges engineering graduates to shun corruption, uphold integrity

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has urged newly inducted engineering graduates to shun corruption and uphold integrity, accountability and transparency in their professional careers.

Olukoyede gave the advice on Thursday during the induction of 45 engineering graduates at Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI), Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State. He spoke on the theme, “Integrity, Accountability and the Fight Against Economic and Financial Crimes: Building a Culture of Transparency and Responsibility in Nigeria”.

He said engineers must maintain high ethical standards, noting that corruption in the profession could endanger lives, undermine public trust and compromise national development. He warned against practices such as falsifying records, manipulating contracts, diverting funds and approving poorly executed projects.

“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 chairman noted that despite Nigeria’s abundant resources, corruption, poor accountability and mismanagement continued to hinder development. He disclosed that the commission had secured 10,872 convictions and recovered assets worth more than N1.288 trillion in the last three years. He, however, stressed that enforcement alone could not end corruption without a change in societal values.

Olukoyede also warned the graduates against cybercrime, identity theft and internet fraud, disclosing that the EFCC was investing in a Cybercrime Research Centre at its academy in Abuja to strengthen research, training and preventive efforts. He called on families, schools, religious institutions, traditional rulers and professional bodies to promote integrity.

The Vice-Chancellor of BOUESTI, Prof. Babatunde Omojola, said the induction reflected the university’s commitment to producing competent and responsible graduates. He urged the inductees to uphold professional standards, apply their knowledge responsibly and contribute meaningfully to national development.

The Dean of the Faculty, Engr. S.A. Akinola, described the induction as an important milestone, saying the faculty was focused on combining academic knowledge with practical experience. He highlighted students’ projects in sensor-based systems, automation and solar energy, while disclosing plans to establish an engineering innovation scale-up facility equipped with modern workshops and collaborative spaces.