The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has attributed Nigeria’s deteriorating international reputation to the actions of internet fraudsters, widely known as Yahoo Boys.
In a video shared via the EFCC’s official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, Olukoyede criticised the widespread involvement of young Nigerians in cybercrime, calling it a serious national disgrace.
“Today, if you travel abroad with a green passport, you will often notice the scepticism with which you’re treated,” he said. “In queues, once you present a Nigerian passport, you’re looked at with suspicion. At times, you’re pulled aside for extra screening. That is the shame these young internet fraudsters have brought upon us as a nation.”
He continued, “When I meet with foreign counterparts or engage government agencies overseas, particularly in efforts to recover stolen assets, the damage done by online fraud makes our job much harder. They see what is happening on social media. Let me say this clearly: Yahoo Yahoo is a national crisis. Many young men no longer believe in honest work.”
Olukoyede has consistently drawn attention to the role of cybercriminals in tarnishing Nigeria’s global image. However, critics have pointed out that the country’s reputation challenges are not solely rooted in youth crime, but also in the actions of some of its political elite.
Over the years, several high-profile Nigerian politicians have been implicated in international corruption scandals. Among the most notorious was the late military ruler Sani Abacha, whose looted funds are still being repatriated from various countries.
Other notable examples include former Delta State governor James Ibori, who was convicted of theft and money laundering in the United Kingdom, and Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, the former governor of Bayelsa State, who fled the UK disguised as a woman after facing corruption charges and later served prison time in Nigeria.
Despite the EFCC’s focus on cybercrime, public discourse continues to raise concerns about the agency’s approach to tackling white-collar corruption at the highest levels of power.