Students cybercrime trend has drawn concern from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as its chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, stated that about six in every 10 Nigerian university students are involved in internet fraud. The students cybercrime trend, according to the commission, reflects a growing pattern identified through investigations and enforcement operations across the country.
The warning was issued during the 8th Biennial Conference of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities held in Kano State, where discussions focused on governance and the future of higher education. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission officials used the platform to highlight emerging threats affecting Nigeria’s youth population.
Cybercrime, commonly referred to as “Yahoo Yahoo,” has remained a persistent issue in Nigeria, with enforcement agencies reporting increasing involvement of young people, particularly students in tertiary institutions.
Olukoyede stated that findings from EFCC investigations show that “about six out of 10 students in our universities are into cybercrime,” describing the situation as “very disturbing.”
He noted that many suspects arrested for cyber-related offences are undergraduates, adding that some have gone as far as compromising academic systems. According to him, “many of those arrested are students,” with some allegedly placing lecturers on payroll to influence academic outcomes.
The EFCC chairman linked the students cybercrime trend to broader systemic challenges within universities, including weak oversight and administrative lapses. He also raised concerns about the emergence of more complex forms of cybercrime, including combinations of internet fraud with other criminal practices.
The commission emphasised that its conclusion is based on operational data and ongoing investigations across multiple states, reflecting what it described as widespread involvement.
The students cybercrime trend raises concerns about the integrity of Nigeria’s education system and the future of its workforce. Increased involvement of undergraduates in cybercrime may undermine academic standards and reduce confidence in institutional outcomes.
From a security perspective, the development highlights the need for stronger preventive measures, including awareness campaigns and institutional reforms within universities. The trend also points to broader socio-economic challenges affecting young people, particularly in areas of employment, digital literacy, and value orientation.
