Press Release

Abuja, Nigeria - ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) strongly condemns the deeply troubling and unsubstantiated claim attributed to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, alleging that “six in ten Nigerian students are involved in cybercrime.”

This sweeping and dangerous assertion, made without verifiable evidence, is not only irresponsible but profoundly damaging to the image, dignity, and future of millions of hardworking, law-abiding Nigerian youth. It is unacceptable that such a grave allegation, amounting to a claim that approximately 60% of Nigerian students are engaged in criminal activity, was made without any publicly verifiable evidence, credible data, or transparent methodology.

Public office holders, particularly those entrusted with upholding justice and integrity, must be held to the highest standards of accuracy and accountability. Making such a sweeping allegation without evidence is misleading.

This narrative unfairly labels and criminalises Nigerian youth, a demographic that continues to demonstrate excellence globally across sectors including technology, academia, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and the creative industries. Nigerian youth are among the most resilient, innovative, and industrious populations in the world. To then reduce them to a statistic associated with criminality is to ignore their contributions and undermine their potential. Worse still, such statements risk being amplified internationally, further entrenching harmful stereotypes and damaging Nigeria’s global reputation.

Nigeria is grappling with severe socio-economic challenges, including rising inflation, unemployment, insecurity, and systemic inequality. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s population was estimated at about 209.6 million in 2021, with young people aged 15 to 35 constituting approximately 45.46 percent of the population, translating to over 95 million Nigerians. This means that any claim suggesting that six in ten Nigerian students are involved in cybercrime is effectively labelling tens of millions of young Nigerians as criminals without evidence. Small businesses are struggling to survive. Skilled professionals, including medical personnel, are leaving the country in alarming numbers. Communities continue to face insecurity and economic hardship. In such an environment, it is both unjust and counterproductive to scapegoat young people and absolutely disingenuous to ignore structural failures.

ActionAid Nigeria reiterates that youth delinquency, where it exists, is not unique to Nigeria. Every country grapples with similar challenges, and we do not doubt that some people are involved in cybercrime. However, Nigerian youth have also consistently proven that when placed in enabling environments, with access to opportunities, fair systems, and supportive policies, they thrive and excel, both locally and internationally.

The Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr Andrew Mamedu, noted that:

“ActionAid Nigeria, therefore, calls on the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to publish the survey conducted and the methodology deployed to arrive at this conclusion, including the institutions that validated this claim. If this cannot be provided, we demand that the EFCC Chair immediately retract the statement claiming that six in ten Nigerian students are involved in cybercrime and issue a public apology to Nigerian youth for the harm caused by this careless and unsubstantiated assertion. The EFCC should commit to evidence-based communication that reflects the realities of the country without resorting to harmful generalisations. We also call on the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), civil society organisations, ACTIVISTAs, and all well-meaning stakeholders to reject this narrative in its entirety and stand in defence of Nigerian youth.”

While we affirm that AAN does not condone crime in any form, we reject attempts to stigmatise an entire generation based on unverified claims. ActionAid Nigeria stands in solidarity with young people across the country and encourages them to continue advocating for accountability, fairness, and inclusive development.

Signed:
Andrew Mamedu, PhD
Country Director

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Editors' notes 

ActionAid Nigeria, a social justice non-governmental organisation working to eradicate poverty and all forms of injustice in Nigeria. We are an affiliate member of the ActionAid International Federation with a presence in 45 countries. AAN works in solidarity with people living in poverty and exclusion to achieve social justice, gender equality, and poverty eradication towards achieving a just, equitable, and sustainable world in which every person enjoys the right to a life of dignity, freedom from poverty and all forms of oppression. 

Contact:  Oluwakemi Akinremi-Segun | Communications Coordinator | ActionAid Nigeria| Tel: +234 (0) 809 207 6904 | +234 (0) 812 888 8826 Email: Oluwakemi.AkinremiSe@actionaid.org | Info.nigeria@actionaid.org