The appointment formalises a role IGP Olatunji Disu says will help police tap emerging technology and steer young Nigerians away from cybercrime.
Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu has appointed Olugbenga Agboola, Founder and CEO of Flutterwave, as a National Youth Ambassador of the Nigeria Police Force, under the International Youth Day 2026 National Youth Security, Peacebuilding and Empowerment Initiative.
Disu conferred the appointment on Agboola on Monday, 7 September, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, following a strategic visit by a Flutterwave delegation.
The delegation included Dr Stanley Uzochukwu, CEO and Chairman of Stanel Group Ltd; Hajia Risikatu Ahmed, Managing Director of Flutterwave Services Ltd; Olufunmilayo Olaniyi, Senior Vice President and Head of Public Sector; Morounke Olufemi, Group Chief Financial Officer; Hadiza Nwide, Vice President of Business Development; and Chizoba Okafor, Managing Director of MFB Flutterwave.
Why Agboola was chosen
According to the Force, the appointment recognises Agboola’s achievements in technology entrepreneurship and his leadership in building Flutterwave into one of Africa’s leading fintech institutions, citing his contributions to innovation, financial inclusion, entrepreneurship and responsible corporate citizenship as the core qualities behind the decision.
The initiative aims to use credible role models to promote peacebuilding, cybersecurity awareness, entrepreneurship and constructive civic participation among young Nigerians, while steering them away from cybercrime and other social vices.
Agboola is not the sole ambassador under the programme.
Weeks earlier, Disu had also formally recognised Ann Nwawhodoh as a Youth Ambassador at a separate youth engagement event, describing both appointees as a bridge between the police and Nigerian youths.
What Disu and Agboola said
Disu charged Agboola to use his platform and influence to inspire young Nigerians toward legitimate opportunities, integrity and responsible innovation.
He also stressed the need to strengthen the technological capacity of young police officers, particularly around emerging technologies, digital tools and cyber-related investigative techniques, arguing this would improve the Force’s ability to investigate cybercrime, trace digital evidence and respond to technology-enabled criminality.
“Effective security cannot be achieved by the Police alone,” Disu said, describing security as a shared responsibility between law enforcement and citizens.
Responding, Agboola thanked the IGP for the confidence placed in him and pledged support for the initiative’s goals.
“I am deeply honoured to be appointed as a National Youth Ambassador of the Nigeria Police Force under the National Youth Security, Peacebuilding and Empowerment Initiative,” he said.
“True leadership goes beyond building technology; it requires a deep commitment to mentorship, advocacy for digital responsibility, and supporting the next generation of builders. I am fully committed to lending my voice and technical experience to ensure our youth have the secure, resilient foundation they need to scale ideas into global institutions.”
Part of Flutterwave’s wider security engagement
The appointment builds on an existing relationship between Flutterwave and Nigerian security institutions.
Earlier this year, the company partnered with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to establish and lead a Cybercrime Research Centre, reflecting a broader pattern of the fintech firm positioning itself as a partner in national cybersecurity and financial crime prevention efforts, alongside its continued expansion across African markets, including a licence secured in Ghana, its 34th African market, in August.
Who is Olugbenga Agboola?
Agboola, popularly known as “GB,” is a Nigerian software engineer and entrepreneur born in Lagos in 1985. He studied at the University of Westminster and later at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before building a career across fintech and payments.
He co-founded Flutterwave in 2016, growing it into one of Africa’s most prominent financial technology companies, now licensed across 34 African countries, including Ghana, which it entered in August 2026.
He holds the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), serves as Vice Chairman of the U.S.-Africa Business Center Board, and sits on the Milken Institute’s Africa Business Leaders Council, the Wall Street Journal CEO Council, and the Fast Company Impact Council.
