The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has identified laziness, a lack of patriotism, and peer pressure as the primary catalysts driving Nigerian youth into cybercrime and related criminal activities.

The charge was delivered on Monday during an orientation and sensitisation programme organised for new students at the Air Force Institute of Technology, Nigerian Air Force, Mando. Mr Olukoyede was represented at the event by Nana Fatima Abubakar of the EFCC’s Kaduna zonal directorate.

In a statement, the anti-graft agency said Mr Olukoyede noted that youths are largely responsible for cybercrime in the country. The statement explained that peer pressure, a lack of patriotism, greed, and laziness are the main catalysts for youth’s involvement in internet fraud.

The EFCC chairman also highlighted an alarming trend, stating that drug and substance abuse, as well as criminal fetish activities, have now become interconnected with internet fraud operations.

Charging youths across the country to choose the paths of integrity and ethical standards, the statement warned against the dangers of internet fraud as they aspire to become future leaders.

The agency pointed out that there is “no shortcut to wealth”, stressing that hard work, perseverance, and dedication remain the true paths to success.

The desire to get rich quickly, according to the statement, often leads to severe consequences, including “loss of freedom, image damage, depression, and untimely death in some instances”.

The anti-graft czar further called on the students to join the national fight against corruption and economic and financial crimes.

According to the statement, students can report such crimes to the EFCC via its Eagle Eye App, which guarantees the whistleblower’s anonymity.