EFCC Chairman Says 6 Out Of 10 University Students Are Into Cybercrime

EFCC Chairman Says 6 Out Of 10 University Students Are Into Cybercrime

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has raised fresh concern over the growing involvement of Nigerian university students in cybercrime, warning that internet fraud is becoming deeply rooted within the country’s higher institutions.

Olukoyede made the disclosure on Tuesday while speaking at the 8th Biennial Conference of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities in Nigeria (COPSUN) held in Kano State.

The conference focused on strengthening university administration, financial accountability and the integration of emerging technologies into tertiary education management.

Addressing participants at the event, the EFCC chairman said recent findings by the anti-graft agency revealed an alarming rise in the number of students involved in internet fraud, popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo.”

“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,” Olukoyede said.

According to him, many suspects arrested during recent EFCC operations across the country were discovered to be undergraduates from different institutions.

He stressed that the problem is widespread and no longer limited to a few campuses, warning that organised cybercrime networks are increasingly recruiting young people within universities.

Olukoyede linked the growing trend to weak institutional monitoring systems, poor accountability structures and societal obsession with quick wealth.

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The EFCC chairman also revealed that investigations uncovered cases where proceeds from internet fraud were allegedly used to compromise academic processes and influence officials within some institutions.

According to him, some lecturers and school personnel have allegedly been bribed by students involved in cybercrime, a development he described as a serious threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s education system.

He warned that allowing corruption and criminality to thrive within universities could damage the integrity of future professionals and national institutions.

“A university that lacks financial accountability cannot credibly train future professionals. The integrity of our universities is a matter of national security,” he stated.

Olukoyede cited the EFCC’s major operation in Lagos in December 2024 during which 792 suspected cyber fraudsters were arrested in a large-scale raid linked to online scam syndicates.

According to him, investigations from that operation exposed the level of organisation and sophistication now associated with cybercrime networks operating in Nigeria.

The EFCC boss further raised alarm over the increasing spread of “Yahoo Plus,” a dangerous form of internet fraud associated with ritual practices and spiritual manipulation.

He described the trend as deeply troubling and called for urgent national intervention to prevent further moral decline among young Nigerians.

Olukoyede urged university authorities to strengthen internal control mechanisms, improve student monitoring systems and collaborate more closely with security agencies to curb cybercrime on campuses.

He also advocated for wider adoption of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in university administration, particularly in payroll management, procurement systems, financial auditing and academic monitoring.

According to him, AI-powered systems can help institutions detect suspicious financial activities, identify irregular salary payments and improve transparency in governance processes.

The EFCC chairman disclosed that the anti-corruption agency has already begun deploying artificial intelligence tools for digital investigations, financial intelligence gathering and cybercrime tracking operations.

He added that the commission would continue expanding the use of technology in combating corruption, financial crimes and online fraud across the country.

Olukoyede’s comments come amid rising concern over the increasing number of young Nigerians being arrested for internet fraud and related cyber offences in different parts of the country.

Security experts and education stakeholders have repeatedly warned that the glamorisation of luxury lifestyles, social media pressure and unemployment are contributing to the growing attraction of cybercrime among youths.

EFCC Chairman Says 6 Out Of 10 University Students Are Into Cybercrime