Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has said that Federal Government is intensifying its use of digital-economy initiatives to curb corruption among young Nigerians.

Speaking at the commemoration of the 2025 International Anti-Corruption Day held on Tuesday in Abuja, the AGF said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has deliberately positioned technology, innovation training, and digital-skills development at the heart of its anti-corruption strategy for young people.

The event, organized by Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reforms (TUGAR) domiciled at the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) had the theme: “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity”.

Fagbemi, who delivered the keynote address, said the government believes that empowered, skilled and economically engaged youths are less vulnerable to corrupt influences.

According to him, programmes such as the 3 Million Technical Talents Programme (3MTT) and the recently launched Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) are already equipping millions of young Nigerians with ICT and digital-innovation skills, reducing their dependence on patronage systems that fuel corrupt practices.

“A hopeful youth is harder to corrupt; an engaged youth is harder to mislead; and an empowered youth is a powerful force for national transformation,” Fagbemi said.

He explained that by investing in digital literacy, tech entrepreneurship and innovation-driven training, the Tinubu administration aims to create a generation of young Nigerians who are globally competitive and resistant to corruption.

Beyond digital skills, the AGF pointed at several government efforts to expand educational access through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), and support youth entrepreneurship via the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) and the iDICE programme, providing funding, training and mentorship for young innovators in tech, entertainment, agriculture and design.

Fagbemi added that the inclusion of young people in governance, through appointments and expanded civic-engagement platforms, was another strategic tool to strengthen integrity and transparency in public life.

He urged stakeholders to deepen efforts to integrate anti-corruption values into school curricula, establish integrity clubs, mentor young leaders, and leverage ICT tools to promote transparency, whistleblowing and public accountability.

Earlier, the Head of TUGAR, Mrs Jane Onwumere said the gathering was especially meaningful because it reflected a shared truth: that tomorrow’s integrity rests significantly in the hands of the youth.

“The theme therefore, is not just a slogan but a call to action and a reminder that young people are not only beneficiaries of good governance, they are co-architects of it.

“Corruption has affected lives and the economy negatively in many ways. One of such is the “japa wave” which has seen young Nigerians leave the country in droves in search of greener pastures. This syndrome has drained the country of resources and human capital. It has in many situations split the family unit, a critical foundation for anti-corruption efforts”, Onwumere, added.

In his speech, the Executive Secretary, NEITI, Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar expressed the agency’s commitment to empowering young Nigerians not only as advocates for accountability but also as active partners in shaping the future of integrity in the extractive industries and beyond.

“At NEITI, we recognize that corruption undermines opportunities for growth, distorts resource governance, and deepens inequality. We also know that a united, informed, and courageous generation can dismantle these barriers.

“This is why NEITI will continue to expand civic education, strengthen our reporting mechanisms, support youth-led innovation, and create more platforms for constructive engagement with young professionals, students, and entrepreneurs”, he added.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has asked the Investments and Securities Tribunal (IST) to order the freezing of all bank accounts belonging to Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) and other defendants held in commercial banks and financial institutions across Nigeria.

The request was made in Suit No. IST/OA/02/2025: Securities and Exchange Commission & Anor v. Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) & 25 Others, the first case before the 6th Tribunal presided over by Hon. Aminu Jinaidu, Chairman of the IST.

SEC also urged the Tribunal to seize houses and other assets allegedly acquired by the defendants using proceeds obtained from the public through the CBEX investment scheme, which it said falsely operated as a digital assets platform and capital-market operator.

The Commission argued that CBEX, which is not registered with SEC, unlawfully promised investors a 100 percent return on investment within 30 days—conduct it said is in violation of Section 3(b) of the Investments and Securities Act, 2025.

SEC further disclosed that the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong had, on April 23, 2024, issued an advisory warning against CBEX, describing it as a suspicious virtual-asset entity. According to the advisory, CBEX adopted a name resembling that of a Chinese property-rights trading organisation to give investors false assurance, despite having no connection with the legitimate entity.

At Tuesday’s sitting, the Tribunal ordered that hearing notices be served on the defendants through national newspapers, as CBEX failed to appear and was not represented in court.

CBEX launched in Nigeria in July 2024, operating through a website and mobile app. It claimed to use advanced artificial intelligence to generate unusually high profits from cryptocurrency trading, promising returns of up to 100 percent within a 40- to 45-day lock-in period. The scheme later collapsed and was exposed as a Ponzi operation that reportedly defrauded investors of more than N1.3 trillion (about $800 million).

Hon. Jinaidu also presided over several other matters on the tribunal’s docket, including Benue Investments Property Co. Ltd & Anor v. Securities and Exchange Commission & 6 Others; Maven Asset Management Ltd v. Securities and Exchange Commission; John Makinde Onade & Anor v. First Registrars & Investors Services Ltd & Anor; and Securities and Exchange Commission & Anor v. Tourist Company of Nigeria PLC & 6 Ors. All the cases were adjourned to January 27, 2026.

Philip Ikeazor, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Deputy Governor for Financial System Stability, said financial inclusion must remain a core priority in the nation’s economic transformation agenda, reaffirming that the next phase of CBN reforms will be crucial for driving growth, stability, and poverty reduction.

Represented by Aisha Issa Olatinwo, director of consumer protection and financial inclusion at the 9th Annual Financial Markets Conference organised by the Financial Markets Dealers Association, Ikeazor noted that the connection between financial inclusion, economic stability, and national growth is now clearer than ever, describing inclusion as a fundamental pillar for improving livelihoods.

“Every individual should be able to access secure and reliable financial services with the potential to increase prosperity, reduce poverty, and enable social well-being,” he said.

Despite progress over the past decade, particularly the rising adoption of digital wallets, bank accounts, and formal financial channels, he acknowledged that key barriers persist. Rural and low-income populations still face challenges such as limited access points, low financial literacy, infrastructure gaps, and regulatory constraints.

Ikeazor highlighted improvements recorded between 2012 and 2023, including declines in the number of adults depending solely on informal financial systems, but warned that more work is required to close remaining access gaps.

He reaffirmed the apex bank’s commitment to accelerating reforms under the National Financial Inclusion Strategy, which is currently being updated to its next phase, NFIS 4.0.

The revised framework, he said, will focus on strengthening digital channels, deepening credit access, and ensuring underserved groups are better supported.

“Policy remains at the heart of our efforts,” he noted. “We have implemented a range of initiatives from the original strategy to the current version under review, which will come out as NFIS 4.0.”

According to Ikeazor, technology remains the most powerful driver of inclusion. Digital financial services ranging from mobile wallets to fintech-enabled credit are breaking old barriers and enabling millions to access services previously out of reach.

He added that the CBN is working to ensure a safe digital environment by prioritising cybersecurity, consumer protection, and responsible innovation.

He also outlined how financial inclusion fuels economic expansion: improved credit access, greater participation in the economy, increased savings and investment, stronger resilience to shocks, and more opportunities for job creation and poverty reduction.

“Financial inclusion can help reduce income inequality and grow the economy to its full potential,” he said.

The Deputy Governor stressed that collaboration across stakeholders, regulators, financial institutions, fintech innovators, civil society, and development partners will determine the success of Nigeria’s inclusion agenda.

“Achieving our vision requires collaboration across governments, regulators, financial institutions, technology developers, civil society and the public,” he said, urging stakeholders to recommit to building a resilient and future-proof financial system.

He added that Nigeria’s youthful demographics and rapid digital adoption present a significant opportunity to achieve near-universal financial inclusion in the coming years.