EFCC Plans Cybercrime Academy To Rehabilitate Convicted Nigerians

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced plans to establish a Cybercrime Response Academy to rehabilitate convicted Nigerian cybercriminals by equipping them with productive digital skills and supporting them with monthly stipends during their reintegration into society.

EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede disclosed this at the National Cybersecurity Conference in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to Olukoyede, the proposed facility will begin as a 500-capacity centre, with a long-term plan to scale up and accommodate up to 2,500 individuals.

The goal, he said, is to redirect the advanced tech skills of convicted cybercriminals towards legitimate and productive sectors of Nigeria’s digital economy.

“We are building a plan, with the support of key development partners, to establish a 500-capacity cybercrime response centre. We are going to bring in these guys and channel their skills toward the productive sector,” he said.

Olukoyede added that the facility will offer vocational training, mentorship, and monthly allowances, both as a rehabilitation and reintegration mechanism.

The academy is expected to become operational by next year.

“We hope this centre will be operational next year, accommodating up to 2,500 individuals. At that time, we will support them with allowances,” he added.

The EFCC chairman also revealed that the agency recently dismantled one of the largest international cybercrime syndicates operating within Nigeria.

In a December operation, the Commission arrested 194 individuals, including 182 foreign nationals, allegedly involved in fraud schemes using stolen Nigerian identities.

Olukoyede confirmed that 146 of the suspects have already been convicted, and the foreign nationals will be deported to their home countries after serving their jail terms.

“After the jail time, they will be repatriated to their countries,” he said, emphasising that international collaboration remains crucial in tackling transnational cybercrime.

Olukoyede warned that the increasing sophistication of cybercrime poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s rapidly growing digital economy.

He highlighted how vulnerabilities in the financial and digital ecosystems—especially in sectors like mobile banking, e-commerce, and digital currencies—have made Nigeria an attractive target for cybercriminals.

“While Nigeria’s digital transformation is accelerating, our cybersecurity preparedness is lagging behind,” he noted.

The EFCC chairman called for a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach to strengthen the country’s cyber defence.

He urged financial institutions and regulatory agencies to report cyberattacks and promptly share intelligence with law enforcement.

“Rapid collaboration in incident response enhances our ability to act effectively. Banks must not hesitate to share information when breaches occur,” Olukoyede said.