ActionAid Flays Alleged EFCC Claim Linking Students To Cybercrime

ActionAid Nigeria has criticised a statement attributed to the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, alleging that “six in 10 Nigerian students are involved in cybercrime,” describing it as reckless, unsubstantiated and damaging.

In a statement issued to newsmen yesterday in Abuja, the organisation said the claim, reportedly made without verifiable evidence or transparent methodology, unfairly criminalises millions of Nigerian youths and undermines their contributions to national development.

ActionAid Nigeria argued that such a sweeping assertion risked tarnishing the image of young Nigerians globally, noting that youths across the country continued to excel in sectors such as technology, education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and the creative industry.

“The claim that about 60 per cent of Nigerian students are engaged in cybercrime is not only alarming but also lacks credible data to support it. It is irresponsible and harmful to label a large segment of the population as criminals without evidence,” the organisation stated.

Citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics, the group noted that Nigeria’s youthful population constitutes a significant portion of the country, warning that such generalisations could have far-reaching social and economic implications.

The Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, called on the EFCC to provide details of any study backing the claim, including the methodology and institutions involved.

“If this cannot be provided, the EFCC Chairman should immediately retract the statement and issue a public apology to Nigerian youth for the harm caused,” Mamedu said.

He also urged stakeholders, including the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and civil society groups, to reject what he described as a misleading narrative.

ActionAid Nigeria acknowledged that cybercrime remains a concern but stressed that it is not unique to Nigeria, adding that most young Nigerians are law-abiding and productive citizens.

The organisation warned that blaming youths for systemic challenges such as unemployment, poverty, and inequality diverts attention from deeper structural issues affecting the country.

It reaffirmed its support for Nigerian youths, encouraging them to continue advocating for accountability, fairness, and inclusive development while rejecting stereotypes that portray them negatively.