The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has raised an alarming assessment of cybercrime prevalence in Nigerian universities, with chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede stating that six out of every 10 students are involved in internet fraud. Speaking at a conference of pro-chancellors of state-owned universities in Kano, Olukoyede described the trend as deeply disturbing and warned that some students have compromised academic integrity by placing lecturers on their payroll. The EFCC boss cited findings from investigations and field operations revealing widespread undergraduate involvement in cybercrime, including the emerging menace of “Yahoo Plus,” where internet fraud is combined with fetish practices.
Olukoyede disclosed that a major AI‑powered operation in Lagos led to the arrest of 792 suspects linked to a transnational cybercrime syndicate, with a significant number of those arrested being students. He called on university authorities to strengthen institutional controls and collaborate with law enforcement. He also urged pro‑chancellors to deploy AI‑driven governance systems to enhance transparency and detect fraud in areas such as payroll management, procurement monitoring, and academic integrity. A university that lacks financial accountability, he said, cannot credibly train future professionals.
The National Association of Nigerian Students swiftly rejected the claim, with spokesman Samson Ajasa describing it as an unfortunate generalisation. Ajasa demanded a retraction, questioning the source of the EFCC chairman’s statistics and warning that such statements could negatively affect Nigerian students seeking foreign grants. He acknowledged the existence of “bad eggs” but argued that the sweeping assertion ridicules the education ministry, NANS, ASUU and even the president, who has initiated policies such as the student loan scheme.
From an economic perspective, the EFCC’s claim carries significant weight. Nigeria’s digital economy ambitions depend on a pipeline of skilled, trustworthy graduates. A widespread perception of university students as cybercriminals would not only damage the country’s international reputation but also undermine investor confidence in the business process outsourcing and technology sectors, where background integrity is paramount. The debate highlights a deeper institutional failure: weak oversight and governance structures that allow criminality to flourish within tertiary institutions. Without urgent reforms and a credible, data‑driven assessment of the scale of the problem, policy interventions risk being either over‑reactive or ineffective.
