The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Olanipekun Olukoyede, has raised fresh concerns over the growing involvement of Nigerian university students in cybercrime, revealing that nearly 60 per cent of undergraduates are engaged in internet fraud.
Speaking at the 8th Biennial Conference of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities in Kano, Olukoyede described the trend as alarming and a serious threat to the country’s future.
He said recent research and operational findings by the commission show that a large proportion of suspects arrested for cyber-related offences are students, with some allegedly compromising academic systems by placing lecturers on their payroll.
Citing a recent operation in Lagos, the EFCC boss disclosed that 792 suspects linked to a transnational cybercrime syndicate were arrested, with many identified as undergraduates. He noted that the operation, supported by artificial intelligence tools, exposed the scale and sophistication of cybercrime networks operating within and beyond Nigeria.
Olukoyede also warned about the rise of “Yahoo Plus,” a form of internet fraud combined with fetish practices, describing it as a growing moral and security concern.
He called on university authorities to strengthen internal controls, improve accountability systems and work closely with law enforcement agencies to curb the menace.
The EFCC chairman further advocated the adoption of artificial intelligence in university governance to enhance transparency and detect fraudulent activities. He noted that many institutions still rely on manual systems vulnerable to abuse.
While noting that the EFCC has already begun integrating AI into its investigative processes, including digital forensics and financial tracking, Olukoyede stressed that technology should complement, not replace, human oversight.
He also urged universities to invest in digital infrastructure and build capacity in cybersecurity, machine learning and digital governance, calling for stronger collaboration between institutions, regulators and anti-corruption agencies to tackle emerging threats.
