A Professor of Criminology at the Lagos State University (LASU), Adedeji Oyenuga, has disclosed that the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital forensic tools is critical to advancing crime prevention in Nigeria.

Oyenuga, who is the coordinator of the university’s Master’s Programme in Criminology and Security Studies, stated this at the school’s Criminology and Security Studies Lecture Series 2.0, themed: ‘Digital forensic investigation: Processes, techniques, and applications’.

He pointed out that security practice must evolve from a traditional reactive approach to a more predictive, preventive model driven by emerging technologies.

“People have always viewed security as reactive, but we are now moving toward predictive and preventive security. With the help of AI, Internet of Things and advanced technologies, we can anticipate incidents before they occur,” he said.

According to him, AI has significantly improved investigative processes by enabling the reconstruction of crime scenes and providing empirical evidence to support logical deductions.

The don cited a recent case he handled involving a planned accident, noting that AI simulation helped expose the incident as premeditated.

“I employed AI to reconstruct the scene, and it became clear that the accident was planned; the evidence was difficult to dispute, and the suspect failed to appear for further questioning,” he said.

Oyenuga explained that AI helped investigators to validate suspicions with verifiable data, especially in situations where conventional methods might not provide sufficient proof.

He, however, cautioned that AI tools must be properly understood and applied to avoid inaccuracies, saying that the technology could sometimes produce misleading outputs if not carefully managed.

On the relevance of AI in criminology, Oyenuga said the technology enabled investigators to translate theoretical assumptions into practical and demonstrable evidence.

He added that AI could analyse accident patterns and generate scenarios consistent with physical evidence, thereby strengthening investigative outcomes.

On the role of universities, the scholar stressed the need for institutions to integrate digital forensic studies into their curricula, describing it as indispensable in an increasingly digital world where individuals leave traces of their activities online.

He also noted that universities must prioritise practical training in digital forensics to equip students with the necessary skills needed to meet modern security challenges.

Although he disclosed that some progress had been made, Oyenuga stated that more efforts would be required to expand training and increase students’ participation.