EFCC Warns of Rising Cybercrime Among University Students

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, expressed alarm over the rising trend of cybercrime among Nigerian university students, stating that six out of ten undergraduates are involved in internet fraud. This revelation was made during the 8th biennial conference of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities in Nigeria, held in Kano.

Bawa highlighted that investigations show a significant number of students are engaged in cybercrime activities, which compromise the academic system and reflect deeper systemic challenges, including weak administrative oversight. The EFCC has arrested 792 suspects linked to transnational cybercrime syndicates, many of whom are students.

Bawa urged university authorities to enhance internal controls and collaborate with law enforcement agencies. He advocated for the adoption of artificial intelligence-driven systems to improve governance and transparency within tertiary institutions, emphasizing that while AI can aid in fraud detection, it should not replace human oversight.