- National Association of Nigerian Students rejected the cybercrime claim attributed to Ola Olukoyede, calling it misleading and unfounded
- The student body warned that the allegation risked damaging the reputation of Nigerian students and eroding trust in the education system
- NANS called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission chairman to retract the statement in the interest of fairness and national integrity
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has strongly rejected a claim attributed to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, alleging that six out of ten university students in Nigeria are involved in cybercrime, popularly known as “yahoo yahoo”.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its Senate President, Usman Adamu Nagwaza, the student body described the assertion as misleading, unfounded, and damaging to the image of Nigerian students both at home and abroad.
NANS expressed deep concern over what it termed a “fallacious and unfortunate assertion”, warning that such sweeping generalisations risk portraying students in a negative light and undermining public confidence in the country’s higher education system.
While reaffirming its support for efforts to combat financial crimes, the association stressed that it is inappropriate for public officials to make broad claims that suggest a majority of students are engaged in illegal activities. According to the group, such remarks could have far-reaching consequences, including stigmatisation of young Nigerians and erosion of trust in academic institutions.
The statement further criticised what it perceived as a disproportionate focus on cyber-related offences by the anti-graft agency, alleging that less attention is being paid to corruption cases involving political office holders. NANS argued that this imbalance raises questions about priorities in the fight against financial crimes.
“Nigerian students are not defined by criminality,” the statement read. “We are individuals striving to acquire knowledge, build capacity, and contribute meaningfully to national development.”
The association maintained that the vast majority of students across Nigerian universities are law-abiding and committed to their academic and personal growth. It insisted that isolated cases of misconduct should not be used to generalise an entire population.
NANS also called on Olukoyede to retract the statement in the interest of fairness, national integrity, and responsible public communication. It warned that failure to correct such claims could harm the reputation of Nigerian students globally and weaken confidence in the nation’s education sector.
Reiterating its commitment to the fight against corruption, the student body urged government agencies to ensure accuracy, balance, and responsibility in their public statements, particularly on sensitive issues affecting millions of young people.