NANS Condemns EFCC Chairman’s Alleged Cybercrime Statistic as “Reckless Generalization”

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a strong rebuttal to comments attributed to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukoyede, alleging that six out of every ten Nigerian university students are involved in cybercrime.

In a formal press statement, the student body described the claim as empirically unsubstantiated, misleading, and dangerously reductive, warning that such sweeping assertions unfairly stigmatize millions of law-abiding students across the country.

NANS expressed “grave concern” that statements of this nature risk distorting public perception of Nigerian students, whom it described as intellectual assets and future national leaders, rather than a suspect demographic.

According to the association, criminalizing an entire student population through generalized statistics is “unjust and profoundly irresponsible,” stressing that public figures must exercise restraint and ensure factual accuracy when making sensitive national statements.

Beyond reputational harm, NANS warned that such narratives could have far-reaching consequences, including:

• Devaluation of Nigerian academic qualifications internationally
• Reduced global opportunities for graduates
• Erosion of confidence in the education sector
• Stigmatization of innocent students based on misleading perceptions

The association argued that the focus should instead be directed toward systemic challenges such as youth unemployment, inadequate education funding, and economic hardship, which it identified as root drivers of social vulnerability.

While reaffirming its firm opposition to cybercrime and all forms of illegality, NANS emphasized that criminal behavior remains individual and not collective, cautioning against profiling an entire demographic based on the actions of a minority.

The student body urged relevant institutions to adopt more evidence-based communication approaches and avoid rhetoric that could damage national cohesion and youth morale.

NANS concluded by urging the EFCC to uphold higher standards of public communication, stating that it would firmly resist any narrative that seeks to malign the collective image of Nigerian students.

The association reaffirmed its commitment to protecting student interests while supporting lawful efforts to combat cybercrime in Nigeria.