“Startling Revelation: 60% of University Students Involved in Cybercrime, Warns EFCC’s Olukoyede”
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede, has stated that nearly six out of every 10 students are engaged in online fraud, commonly referred to as ‘Yahoo-Yahoo’.
Olukoyede made this revelation during the 8th Biennial Conference of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities in Nigeria, which took place in Kano State, where participants convened to deliberate on the theme, “Unlocking the Potentials of Artificial Intelligence: University Governance, Internationalisation and Rankings.”
Characterizing the phenomenon as concerning, the EFCC chief mentioned that findings from the commission’s investigations and fieldwork reveal extensive student participation in cybercrime and associated offenses.
As he noted, “My study over the past year has indicated that about six out of ten students in our universities are involved in cybercrime. This is a very troubling situation.”
He articulated that numerous suspects detained in recent operations were undergraduates, adding that some had allegedly undermined academic integrity by placing lecturers on their payroll.
He expressed concern that this development highlights deeper systemic challenges, including inadequate institutional oversight and administrative weaknesses within universities.
Olukoyede also referenced a significant operation in Lagos, where 792 suspects affiliated with a transnational cybercrime syndicate were apprehended.
He stated that a considerable number of those arrested were students, explaining that the operation utilized artificial intelligence tools, which revealed the extent and complexity of cybercrime networks functioning both within and outside Nigeria.
The EFCC chairman further cautioned about the rising trend of “Yahoo Plus,” where internet fraud intersects with fetish practices, labeling it as a perilous evolution of cybercrime.
He urged university administrators and governing councils to take immediate action to combat this issue by enhancing internal controls and collaborating more effectively with law enforcement agencies.
Olukoyede encouraged pro-chancellors to implement artificial intelligence-driven governance systems to boost transparency, identify fraud, and improve financial accountability across higher education institutions.
He noted that many universities still depend on manual procedures, rendering them vulnerable to fraud, including phantom employees, inflated contracts, and fund misappropriation.
He emphasized that a university lacking financial integrity cannot credibly prepare future professionals, as the credibility of universities is a matter of national importance.
The EFCC chief championed the utilization of AI in crucial areas such as fraud prevention, payroll management, procurement oversight, and maintaining academic integrity, asserting that such tools can assist in flagging dubious transactions, identifying anomalous salary disbursements, and reinforcing real-time auditing procedures.
He added that the EFCC has already incorporated AI into its investigative methodologies, including digital forensics and financial tracking, enhancing efficiency in addressing financial crimes, while cautioning that artificial intelligence should complement—not substitute—human oversight and must be used in accordance with existing legal frameworks, including data protection and procurement regulations.
Additionally, he stressed the importance of capacity building in cybersecurity, machine learning, and digital governance across university systems, urging institutions to invest in digital infrastructure such as broadband connectivity and cloud-based platforms.
He further called for stronger collaboration among universities, regulatory agencies, and anti-corruption bodies to effectively counter emerging threats in the digital realm.
