The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has charged students
across the country to prioritize developing good online habits, avoid
cybercrime, focus on their education and their overall development as informed,
responsible and successful individuals.
He gave this charge on Monday, May 19, 2025 and
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 during sensitization lectures at Providence High School
and Evergreen College, both at Independence Layout, Enugu, as part of the
Commission’s mandate to sensitize and enlighten students on the ills of
corruption, economic and financial crimes in the society.
Speaking on the topic, “Cybercrime Prevalence and
its Effects on Victims and the Economy”, Olukoyede, who was
represented by the Enugu Zonal Directorate’s Head of Public Affairs Department,
Superintendent of the EFCC, SE Paul Ikpor said that cybercrime has destroyed
many youths, leaving them to languish in jail.
“We at the EFCC believe
that it is cheaper to prevent than to investigate. That is why we are here
today to tell you to shun cybercrime by developing good online habits. We care
about you because you are the future leaders. Cybercrime has destroyed many youths
who are now in jail. There is no gain in fraud”, he said.
While describing cybercrimes as crimes committed in
the cyberspace, Olukoyede identified few types of cybercrime which include,
Ransomware, Business Email Compromise, Identity Theft, Investment Scam, Advance
Fee Fraud, Romance Scam, amongst others.
According to the EFCC's boss, the effects
of cybercrime on the country’s economy cannot be overemphasized, as it
significantly impacts the economy through financial losses, reduced
productivity and a decline in investor confidence. “Cybercrime negatively
impacts the reputation of our dear country and discourages both domestic and
foreign investments. So, it slows down economic growth, damages our reputation
and it has also impacted public perception of online transactions and this has
led to a decline in online shopping and financial transactions”, he said.
He added that “most of our youths jump into this
hole of destruction because of greed, peer pressure, lack of self-control and
lack of supervision by parents”. She identified suicide, depression, loss of
jobs, financial loss, amongst others as some of the effects cybercrime has on
victims.
He thereafter encouraged the students to develop
information technology skills as they enhance employability, higher earning
potentials and contribute to business efficiency.
In her remarks, Chief Mrs. E U Onwuagha, Director and
Principal of Providence High School, while lauding the Commission for the
initiative, charged the students to be change agents by also educating others
on what they were taught.
The sensitization lectures are part of the prevention
mandates of the Commission in carrying out rigorous public enlightenment
campaigns on the ills of corruption, economic and financial crimes.
