The National Association of Nigerian Students has faulted a recent comment by the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission), Ola Olukoyede, in which he allegedly stated that about 60 percent of tertiary institution students are involved in cybercrime.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the National Public Relations Officer, Adeyemi Samson Ajasa, the students’ body described the remark as “unsubstantiated, damaging, and unfair to the majority of law-abiding students in Nigeria.”
NANS said such generalisation unfairly criminalises hardworking students who are focused on their education and personal development, stressing that it could harm their reputation both locally and internationally.
“The National Association of Nigerian Students… expresses deep concern and strong disapproval over the recent statement credited to the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, alleging that six out of every ten Nigerian students are involved in cybercrime,” the statement read.
The association argued that the claim, as presented, risks creating negative stereotypes that could affect Nigerian students’ access to global opportunities such as scholarships, academic partnerships, and international programmes.
It further questioned the basis of the figure, urging the EFCC to provide verifiable data or proper context to support the claim.
NANS said: “Such a generalized claim unfairly criminalizes the overwhelming majority of hardworking, law-abiding Nigerian students who are striving daily to make meaningful contributions to national development.”
The student body also challenged relevant authorities, asking whether the alleged rise in cybercrime suggests failures in existing enforcement strategies.
“We are compelled to ask: does this assertion imply that cybercrime has become more prevalent… or that interventions deployed over time have failed to yield measurable results?” the statement added.
NANS urged public officials to exercise caution when speaking on sensitive issues, noting that reckless statements could damage public trust and demoralize young Nigerians.
The association called on the EFCC chairman to either provide data backing the claim, clarify the statement, or retract it entirely in the interest of fairness and national image.
Despite its criticism, NANS reaffirmed its willingness to collaborate with government agencies in promoting ethical behaviour, digital responsibility, and youth empowerment.
“Nigerian students are not criminals. They are innovators, scholars, leaders, and the backbone of our nation’s future,” the statement concluded.