Senator Shuaib Salisu, representing Ogun West and Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybercrime, has issued a stark warning about Nigeria's future if the rising trend of cybercrime among young people continues unchecked.

Speaking at a capacity workshop for Baales in Egbaland, Abeokuta, Senator Salisu condemned the growing 'yahoo-yahoo' phenomenon, stating that the country faces significant risks if immediate action is not taken.

"This country is at risk if we don't reverse the dangerous trend we are seeing among our youths," Salisu warned. "Too many young people now go to uncles and aunties not to seek help with school fees but to buy phones or laptops for cybercrime."

The former Chief of Staff to Governor Dapo Abiodun attributed the troubling trend to society's shift toward instant gratification and the weakening culture of education among Nigerian youth.

Call for Educational Reform

Senator Salisu emphasized the need for a comprehensive overhaul of the school curriculum to include skills relevant to the digital age. He specifically mentioned artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital literacy as critical components that should be integrated into educational programs.

"We must change that mindset. Education remains the greatest form of empowerment," he stated, underscoring the importance of education as a solution to the cybercrime problem.

However, the Senator cautioned that curriculum reforms alone would be insufficient without substantial investment in teacher training. "The curriculum must evolve to meet global realities but we also need to equip our teachers to deliver it. Many of them are not keeping pace with the changes," he added.

This call for action comes amid growing concerns about Nigeria's international reputation regarding internet fraud and cybercrime activities, which have affected the country's image globally and created challenges for legitimate Nigerian businesses and citizens in international transactions.

Experts have previously noted that addressing cybercrime requires a multi-faceted approach involving education, economic opportunities, stricter law enforcement, and changing societal attitudes that sometimes glorify ill-gotten wealth.