The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has identified greed, peer pressure, laziness, and lack of patriotism as key factors driving cybercrime among Nigerian youths.
Olukoyede, represented by chief superintendent Nana Fatima Abubakar of the EFCC’s Kaduna zonal directorate, made the remark during an orientation and sensitization program for new students of the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Nigerian air force, Mando, Kaduna, on Monday.
Speaking on the topic Dangers of Cybercrime, he expressed concern that many young Nigerians misuse their digital skills for fraudulent purposes instead of channeling them toward innovation and legitimate economic ventures.
“The internet offers boundless opportunities for growth and productivity, but when used wrongly, it becomes a weapon of destruction,” Olukoyede said.
He cautioned against the desire for quick wealth, describing it as a path that often leads to imprisonment, loss of reputation, mental health issues, and even death in extreme cases.
He urged students to embrace hard work, perseverance, and ethical conduct as the only sustainable routes to success.
Olukoyede further noted that drug abuse and ritual practices are increasingly linked to internet fraud, warning that these vices have broader implications for individuals and the country’s image.
He encouraged students to play an active role in combating financial crimes by reporting suspicious activities through the EFCC’s eagle eye app, which ensures anonymity and protects informants.
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