EFCC claim on student fraud signals moral crisis, says Peter Obi
Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed concern over a recent claim by the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that
Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed concern over a recent claim by the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that a significant proportion of Nigerian university students are involved in internet fraud.
Describing the revelation as “deeply troubling,” Obi said the issue points to a broader moral and systemic crisis rather than just a criminal problem.
According to him, with Nigeria’s university population estimated at between two and 2.5 million students, a 60 percent involvement rate would translate to about 1.4 million young people engaged in fraudulent activities.
“If this is indeed accurate, then we are not just facing a crime issue; we are confronting a serious moral and systemic failure,” he stated.
Obi questioned the societal factors contributing to the trend, including the quality of leadership and the values being promoted within the country.
He argued that when integrity is not upheld, and wrongdoing appears to go unpunished, it creates a culture in which unethical behaviour is normalised.
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“Young people become what they consistently see. When a system appears to reward wrongdoing, it sends a dangerous message that hard work does not matter,” he said.
The former governor emphasised that the situation should not be seen as a condemnation of young Nigerians, but rather as a call for introspection and reform at all levels of society.
He called for urgent efforts to rebuild the nation’s value system, strengthen accountability, and create an environment where honesty, discipline, and hard work are rewarded.
Obi maintained that sustainable national development depends on restoring trust and integrity in leadership and public life.
