EFCC to Establish Cybercrime Academy for Rehabilitating Convicts with Digital Skills
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has unveiled plans to establish a Cybercrime Response Academy aimed at rehabilitating convicted Nigerian cybercriminals by equipping them with legitimate digital skills and supporting their reintegration into society.
EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, made the announcement on Wednesday during the National Cybersecurity Conference held in Abuja.
Olukoyede revealed that the proposed academy will initially accommodate 500 participants, with a long-term goal of expanding the facility to 2,500 capacity. According to him, the project—backed by key development partners—seeks to redirect the technological skills of convicted cybercriminals towards productive ventures within Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
“We are building a plan to establish a 500-capacity Cybercrime Response Centre. We will bring in these individuals and channel their skills into legitimate use,” Olukoyede stated.
He added that the centre will offer vocational training, mentorship, and monthly stipends for participants as part of a structured rehabilitation and reintegration program.
“The academy is expected to become operational next year. At that point, we will support the trainees with monthly allowances as they undergo reintegration,” he added.
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Highlighting the urgency of such interventions, the EFCC boss disclosed that the Commission recently dismantled one of the largest international cybercrime syndicates operating within Nigeria. During a December 2024 operation, 194 individuals—including 182 foreign nationals—were arrested for allegedly engaging in fraud schemes using stolen Nigerian identities.
Olukoyede confirmed that 146 suspects have already been convicted, and foreign nationals among them will be deported after serving their sentences.
“After the jail time, they will be repatriated to their countries,” he stated, while emphasizing the importance of global collaboration in the fight against transnational cybercrime.
He expressed concern over the escalating sophistication of cybercrime in Nigeria, warning that it poses a significant threat to the country’s digital economy. He noted that vulnerabilities in mobile banking, digital currencies, and e-commerce platforms have made Nigeria a prime target for cybercriminals.
“Nigeria’s digital transformation is accelerating, but our cybersecurity preparedness is lagging behind,” Olukoyede cautioned.
The EFCC chairman called for stronger multi-agency coordination and urged financial institutions and regulators to promptly report incidents and share intelligence with law enforcement.
“Prompt collaboration in incident response boosts our ability to act effectively. Banks must not delay in reporting breaches,” he advised.
The Commission’s initiative marks a novel approach to not only penalizing cybercrime but also rehabilitating offenders and transforming their skills for national development.
By PRNigeria
