Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has warned that Nigeria may be facing a deep moral and systemic crisis following claims that a significant proportion of university students are involved in internet fraud.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Obi was reacting to remarks by the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Olanipekun Olukoyede, who reportedly stated that about six out of every 10 Nigerian university students are engaged in cybercrime, commonly referred to as “419.”
Describing the allegation as “deeply troubling,” Obi said the claim, if accurate, points to more than just a criminal issue, but a broader breakdown in values, leadership, and institutional accountability.
“The worrisome statement by the Chairman of the EFCC that six out of every 10 Nigerian university students are involved in ‘419’ must not be taken lightly,” he said.
He noted that with an estimated student population of between two and 2.5 million, the implication of such figures would amount to a national emergency.
“If indeed about 60 per cent of them, roughly 1.4 million young people, are involved in fraud, then we are not just facing a crime issue; we are confronting a serious moral and systemic failure,” Obi added.
The former Anambra State governor linked the alleged trend to what he described as a weakening of societal values, arguing that young people often reflect the behaviour they observe in leadership and public institutions.
“When a system appears to reward wrongdoing, when integrity is not upheld, and when those in leadership are associated with allegations of dishonesty without consequence, it sends a dangerous message,” he said.
Obi called for urgent national reflection and reforms, stressing that the situation should not be reduced to blaming young people alone but should prompt a broader examination of governance and accountability.
“This is not about condemning our young people. It is about accepting that leadership sets the tone,” he stated.
He emphasised the need to rebuild integrity in public life, insisting that accountability must be enforced at all levels to restore trust.
“If we do not demonstrate integrity at the top, we cannot expect it at the bottom,” he said.
Obi’s comments come amid growing concern from the EFCC over rising cybercrime among undergraduates. The anti-graft agency has described the trend as a potential national security threat and has called for urgent reforms in university governance and accountability systems.