RismadarVoice Reporters
June 5, 2026
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has said sports can serve as a powerful tool for engaging young people and reducing involvement in internet fraud and other criminal activities.
Olukoyede made the remark on Thursday in Abuja during a courtesy visit to the President of the Organisation of Military Sports in Africa, Major General Maikano Abdullahi, by delegates of the Association of Directors of Sports from the Armed Forces, Police and Paramilitary Agencies.
Represented by the Assistant Commander of the EFCC and Head of EFCC Sports, Halilu Dauda, the EFCC chairman said the commission has used sports programmes to provide employment opportunities and positively engage many young Nigerians.
According to him, several youths have been recruited through EFCC sports initiatives, helping to keep them productively occupied and away from criminal activities.
He noted that expanding sports development across security agencies could further reduce cybercrime, improve youth engagement and contribute to tackling insecurity by harnessing young people’s talents.
In his response, Abdullahi expressed readiness to collaborate with security and paramilitary agencies in promoting sports development. He described sports as one of the largest employment sectors globally, creating opportunities through participation, entertainment and commerce.
He urged stakeholders to work together to identify and develop sporting talents within various agencies, adding that a unified paramilitary sports team could compete successfully at the continental level.
Abdullahi also called for increased awareness and support for military and paramilitary sports, stressing that sporting activities promote unity, discipline, social interaction and national pride.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the Commandant of Sports of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Lawal Oladipo, said stronger sporting ties among armed forces, police and paramilitary agencies would enhance cooperation, information sharing and national security.
He added that such collaboration would strengthen patriotism, improve esprit de corps and create opportunities for talent discovery and participation in national and international competitions.
