Reported by: Agande Richard Aondofa | Edited by: Henry Owen
In an exclusive interview, Mrs. Mercy Adeniran, a cybersecurity expert and youth development advocate based in Kano, has raised urgent concerns over the rising tide of cybercrime among Nigerian youths, calling it a reflection of the nation’s moral and economic challenges.
“Cybercrime has become one of the biggest threats to our social and economic stability,” Mrs. Adeniran stated. She explained that what should be a tool for education and innovation—the internet—has increasingly become a weapon for deceit, with many youths turning to online fraud, popularly known as Yahoo Yahoo, as a shortcut to wealth. “They see it as a way out of unemployment and poverty, especially when they watch politicians and public figures flaunt ill-gotten wealth without consequence,” she said.
The consequences, she warned, go beyond individual wrongdoing. “Moral decay, loss of integrity, and the erosion of hard work are rampant,” Mrs. Adeniran explained. “Many youths no longer believe in education or legitimate work. Some even drop out of school to chase scams, while others involve themselves in ritual practices—so-called Yahoo Plus—to boost their fraudulent acts. It’s heartbreaking.”
She also highlighted the broader economic implications, noting that the rise of cybercrime has affected foreign investment, as international companies grow wary of doing business in Nigeria due to the prevalence of online fraud.
On solutions, Mrs. Adeniran stressed a collective responsibility. “We must fix the system that drives young people into crime,” she urged. “There should be more opportunities in technology, entrepreneurship, and digital skills development so youths can channel their talents productively.” She also emphasized the vital role of parents and schools in instilling honesty, discipline, and strong moral values from an early age.
Her warning was stark: “If Nigeria fails to redirect its youth from cybercrime, the future will be dark. These young people are supposed to be our innovators, not our destroyers.”
Cybercrime in Nigeria today, she argued, is a mirror of wider social frustration—a mix of economic hardship, weak moral standards, and the glorification of quick wealth. The pressing challenge is whether society can guide its youths back to integrity, innovation, and genuine progress before a digital generation is lost to fraud.
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