Concerns have heightened as higher institutions in Nigeria, including universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, have witnessed a drastic surge in internet scams amongst students. The insidious practice of advanced fee fraud, popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo,” is increasingly becoming a prevalent trend on campuses across the nation.
Amidst the quest for quick wealth and the desire to flaunt opulence, a growing number of students are veering away from the pursuit of knowledge and engaging in deceiving unsuspecting victims to fund lavish lifestyles and acquire luxury cars, all within the confines of their academic environment.
As the ostentatious display of affluence by these students continues to captivate their peers, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been actively raiding suspected institutions and apprehending students involved in internet-related offenses. Notable higher institutions such as Kwara State University, Obafemi Awolowo University, Akwa Ibom State University, Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH), and Olabisi Onabanjo University have not been immune to the EFCC’s scrutiny. Most recently, 70 students of Obafemi Awolowo University were arrested for suspected internet-related offenses, shedding light on the pervasive nature of this issue.
Reacting to this disconcerting trend, Ladoke Akintola University in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, has taken proactive measures by banning students from driving or bringing cars onto the campus. Additionally, both staff and students are prohibited from using tinted vehicles, and novice drivers are required to display learner permits on their vehicles.
Recognizing the urgent need to combat this pernicious phenomenon, the EFCC has announced plans to collaborate with university managements across the country, acknowledging that the university environment serves as a formative setting for the academic and moral development of the youth. This collaborative effort signifies a pivotal step in the fight against “Yahoo Yahoo” within educational institutions.
Expressing deep-seated concern about the influence of internet fraudsters on other students, Okey Samson, a lecturer at the Department of Curriculum and Teaching at UNICAL, contended that the flaunting of unlawful wealth by these fraudsters is detrimentally impacting other students’ focus on their education. He expounded on this, highlighting the need to inculcate core values in students from an early stage to foster integrity and accountability.
Equally, Sola Balogun, a lecturer at the Federal University Oye (FUOYE), drew attention to the adverse effects of Yahoo boys’ behaviour on campus. He underscored the reckless and immoral conduct of these students, attributing it to the absence of parental guidance and moral grounding.
Furthermore, Comrade Sunday Abah, a former lecturer at Benue State Polytechnic in Ukokolo, advocated for stringent measures to curb the prevalence of internet fraudsters in tertiary institutions. Abah emphasized the urgency of sensitizing students about the perils of engaging in internet scams and proposed the enforcement of punitive measures as a deterrent.
As the tentacles of “Yahoo Yahoo” tighten their grip on Nigerian higher institutions, it is evident that a holistic approach, encompassing collaboration between law enforcement agencies, educational institutions, and proactive parental involvement, is imperative to stem this burgeoning tide of cybercrime among students.
