EFCC raises alarm over surge in student involvement in cybercrime
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede, has expressed concern over the growing involvement of Nigerian university students in cybercrime, revealing that a significant proportion of undergraduates are engaged in internet fraud.
Olukoyede disclosed this at the 8th Biennial Conference of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities held in Kano, describing the trend as alarming and a serious threat to the nation’s future.
“My research in the last one year has shown that about six out of 10 students in our universities are into cybercrime. It is a very disturbing situation,” he said.
He said investigations and field operations by the commission have shown that many suspects arrested for cyber-related offences are students, with some allegedly compromising academic processes by influencing lecturers.
The EFCC chairman noted that the situation reflects deeper structural challenges within the university system, including weak oversight and administrative lapses.
He cited a recent operation in Lagos where 792 suspects linked to a transnational cybercrime network were arrested, adding that a considerable number of those apprehended were undergraduates.
Olukoyede also warned about the rising trend of “Yahoo Plus,” where internet fraud is combined with fetish practices, describing it as a growing moral and security concern.
He urged university authorities and governing councils to take urgent measures to address the issue by strengthening institutional controls and collaborating with law enforcement agencies, while also advocating the use of technology to improve transparency and accountability in the system.
