The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has strongly rejected a claim attributed to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, alleging that six out of every ten university students in Nigeria are involved in cybercrime, popularly known as “yahoo yahoo.”
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its Senate President, Usman Adamu Nagwaza, the student body described the assertion as misleading, unfounded, and damaging to the reputation of Nigerian students both locally and internationally.
NANS expressed concern that such sweeping generalisations unfairly portray students as criminals, warning that the claim does not reflect the reality across Nigerian universities. The association characterized the remark as “fallacious and unfortunate,” stressing that it risks reinforcing negative stereotypes about young Nigerians.
While reaffirming its support for efforts to combat financial crimes, the student body emphasized that public officials must exercise caution and responsibility in their statements. It noted that broad claims of this nature could erode public trust in the education system and stigmatize students who are focused on academic and personal development.
The association further criticized what it described as a disproportionate focus on cyber-related offences, alleging that less attention is being paid to corruption cases involving political actors.
“Nigerian students are not defined by criminality,” the statement read. “We are individuals striving to acquire knowledge, build capacity, and contribute meaningfully to national development.”
NANS called on the EFCC chairman to retract the statement in the interest of fairness and national integrity, warning that such remarks could harm the global perception of Nigerian students and weaken confidence in higher education institutions.
The group concluded by urging government agencies to uphold accuracy, balance, and responsibility in public communication, even as it reiterated its commitment to supporting the fight against financial crimes.
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