The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has rejected a statement attributed to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, who claimed that a majority of Nigerian university students are involved in cybercrime, commonly known as “yahoo yahoo.”
NANS Leadership Responds
In a statement released to The Guardian in Ibadan, the Senate President of NANS, Usman Adamu Nagwaza, described the claim as “misleading, unfounded and unacceptable.” He emphasized that the assertion does not reflect the reality of Nigerian students. Nagwaza stated that NANS, as the apex body representing Nigerian students both at home and abroad, is deeply concerned about the implications of such remarks on the image and integrity of students across the country.
While reaffirming the student body’s firm opposition to all forms of financial crimes, Nagwaza argued that it is inappropriate to generalize criminal behavior to the majority of the student population. “The claim that six out of ten university students are involved in cybercrime is not only fallacious but also capable of bringing the entire student community into disrepute,” he said.
Criticism of EFCC Enforcement
The NANS leader further criticized what he described as a growing perception that the EFCC’s enforcement efforts are disproportionately focused on cyber-related offenses, while high-profile corruption cases involving politically exposed persons appear to receive less visible attention. He urged the anti-graft agency to refocus its operations in line with its statutory mandate and avoid actions or statements that could be interpreted as selective enforcement.
Call for Retraction
Nagwaza called on the EFCC chairman to retract the statement in the interest of fairness and national cohesion. He stressed that Nigerian students are largely law-abiding and committed to academic and professional development. “We support the fight against corruption in all its forms. However, we reject any narrative that unfairly labels Nigerian students as criminals. Such assertions are not only inaccurate but also damaging to the morale and reputation of young people striving to contribute positively to society,” he added.
Commitment to Nation-Building
The student body reiterated its commitment to nation-building, noting that Nigerian youths remain a critical asset in driving innovation, development, and global competitiveness. At the time of filing this report, the EFCC has not officially responded to the concerns raised by NANS.
