National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has rejected claims by the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, that six out of 10 university students in Nigeria are involved in cybercrime.
NANS described the statement as misleading and harmful to the image of Nigerian students both locally and internationally.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its Senate President, Usman Adamu Nagwaza, the student body said the claim was a false generalisation capable of unfairly stigmatising millions of Nigerian students.
Nagwaza described the allegation as “fallacious and unfortunate,” warning that such remarks could undermine public confidence in the nation’s higher education system.
According to him, the statement paints students in a negative light and risks damaging their reputation.
“Nigerian students are not defined by criminality. We are individuals striving to acquire knowledge, build capacity, and contribute meaningfully to national development,” he said.
NANS also expressed concern that the anti-graft agency appeared to be placing more emphasis on cybercrime cases involving young Nigerians while allegedly paying less attention to corruption cases linked to political office holders.
The association maintained that the majority of Nigerian students are law-abiding and focused on academic pursuits and personal development.
It called on Olukoyede to retract the statement in the interest of fairness, objectivity, and national integrity.
The student body said public comments by government officials should be guided by accuracy, balance, and responsibility to avoid spreading harmful stereotypes.
NANS, however, reiterated its support for the fight against cybercrime and other financial offences, stressing that criminal elements should be identified and prosecuted based on evidence rather than broad assumptions.
The association added that sweeping allegations against students could weaken trust in Nigerian institutions and unfairly tarnish the image of the country’s youth population.
