EFCC: Six Out of 10 Nigerian University Students Involved in Cybercrime
ABUJA – Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has raised alarm over what it describes as a disturbing rise in internet fraud among university students across the country.
Speaking at a university conference in Kano on Monday, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede revealed that approximately six out of every ten Nigerian university students are now involved in some form of cybercrime, commonly known as “Yahoo Yahoo.”
The chairman described the trend as deeply worrying, noting that many students have been arrested in recent internet fraud operations. He also disclosed that some suspects have gone a step further, compromising university lecturers and school systems.
“This has led to a significant breach of academic integrity and trust within the educational environment,” Olukoyede said.
Citing a recent major operation in Lagos, the EFCC chief said 792 individuals were arrested for their alleged involvement in an international cybercrime network. He did not provide a timeline for the operation but stressed that the scale of the arrests underscores the magnitude of the problem.
The EFCC chairman called on universities and law enforcement agencies to work together urgently to tackle the growing menace, warning that failure to act could erode the foundations of the country’s education system.
“We cannot afford to look away while our institutions of learning become breeding grounds for cybercriminals,” he added.
The agency has vowed to intensify its crackdown on internet fraud, particularly within higher education institutions, and is urging students to embrace legitimate digital skills instead of criminal enterprises.
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