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The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has called on Nigerian students to channel their use of the internet toward positive and productive ventures rather than engaging in cybercrime.
This appeal was made during a one-day symposium titled “Safe Campus for Students: Combating Physical and Digital Threats,” organized by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Joint Campus Council at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.
In a statement released on Monday in Abuja by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, Olukoyede was represented at the event by the Head of Public Affairs Unit, Benin Zonal Directorate, ACE I Williams Oseghale.
Olukoyede warned students against internet-based criminal activities, popularly referred to as “Yahoo Yahoo,” stressing that such actions not only damage the country’s international reputation but also discourage foreign direct investment and undermine national economic development.
“Acts of criminality might deliver wealth in the short term, but ultimately there will be misery and gnashing of teeth,” he said. “There is no shortcut to wealth and fame.”
He urged students to focus on innovation and entrepreneurship that contribute to economic progress, describing corruption and cybercrime as enemies of national growth.
“We are calling on youths to shun ‘Yahoo Yahoo’ as it is not a sustainable way of life,” Olukoyede said, emphasizing the need for students to become advocates for integrity. “A new insight into the disservice which corruption represents should inspire youths like you to become change agents, active foot soldiers against corruption, whistleblowers, and intelligence gatherers.”
He decried the growing involvement of Nigerian youths in internet fraud, warning that such activities carry severe personal and national consequences.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Prof. Sunday Samuel, commended the EFCC and other stakeholders for their commitment to student safety and development. He reaffirmed the university’s dedication to creating a secure academic environment.
“A safe campus environment is the foundation upon which academic excellence, personal growth, and future success are built,” Samuel said. “It is our collective responsibility to ensure our institutions are havens of learning, free from physical and digital threats.”
Also speaking, the NANS JCC Chairman at the university, Ojumoola Timileyin, expressed appreciation to the EFCC for its presence and contributions.
“It was truly an honour to have you with us, and your impact was deeply felt by all participants,” Timileyin remarked.
The symposium marked a collaborative effort to raise awareness among students about the risks of cybercrime and the importance of upholding integrity in both academic and digital spaces.
