Olanipekun Olukoyede, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has expressed serious concern about the increasing involvement of Nigerian university students in cybercrime, particularly in activities known as “Yahoo Plus.”
During his speech at the 8th Biennial Conference of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities in Kano, he reported findings from EFCC investigations that indicate nearly 60% of students are engaged in cybercrime, describing it as a troubling trend.
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Olukoyede pointed out that many of the individuals apprehended in recent EFCC crackdowns were undergraduates, with some allegedly integrating criminal activities into their academic settings, including influencing faculty members.
He referenced a significant operation in Lagos, which resulted in the arrest of hundreds of cybercrime suspects, a considerable portion of whom were students, highlighting the increasing sophistication of these networks.
He also raised alarms about “Yahoo Plus,” a form of internet fraud that reportedly merges scamming with fetish practices.
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According to Olukoyede, inadequate oversight in universities exacerbates these issues, with persistent problems such as ghost workers and procurement fraud linked to outdated manual systems.
“A university lacking financial accountability cannot effectively prepare future professionals. The integrity of our universities is a critical matter of national security,” he asserted.
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He urged universities to implement artificial intelligence systems to enhance governance, increase transparency, and improve the detection of fraud in payroll, procurement, and auditing processes.
Olukoyede noted that while AI is already aiding EFCC operations in areas like digital forensics and financial monitoring, it should function alongside human oversight within legal structures.
He also called for enhanced cybersecurity training, better digital infrastructure, and stronger partnerships between universities and anti-corruption agencies to combat the escalating threat.
