A recent research report found on the Oxford University’s website, has ranked Nigeria as fifth in the world for cybercrime.

According to the report dated April 10, 2024, first five countries in the raking were Russia, Ukraine, China, the United States and Nigeria.

The Oxford University’s website reads “Following three years of intensive research, an international team of researchers have compiled the first ever ‘World Cybercrime Index’, which identifies the globe’s key cybercrime hotspots by ranking the most significant sources of cybercrime at a national level”.

Speaking with The Guardian newspaper, cybersecurity expert Dr. Kehinde Ayano provided insight into Nigeria’s ranking and the urgent need for stronger countermeasures. Dr. Ayano, an Assistant Professor of Computer and Information Science at Indiana Wesleyan University in the United States, is a recognized authority in the field. As a Certified information System Security Professional CISSP, a globally recognized cybersecurity professional with experience in designing, implementing and managing enterprise cybersecurity program, he has extensively studied cybersecurity trends and best practices.

According to Dr. Ayano, several factors are responsible for this ignoble position the entire world, including Nigeria has found herself.

Specifically for Nigeria, the most critical of these factors is weak cybersecurity regulations and enforcement which allows cybercriminals to operate with relative impunity. I am aware that Nigeria has legislations against cybercrimes, their levels of implementation and enforcement have been less effective as a deterrent.

I have read the reactions of many Nigerians, especially the youths who attributed the current ranking of Nigeria to the high unemployment rate in the country, however, high unemployment rate is not limited to Nigeria as the economy of most nations are currently bleeding.

Nigeria has driven numerous young, tech-savvy individuals who are engaged with illicit online activities such as phishing, Business Email Compromise (BEC), and social engineering. No doubt, economic hardship and lack of job opportunities have made cyber fraud an attractive alternative for many youths.

The question is this: What is the way forward for Nigeria? To effectively address these issues, Nigeria must adopt a multi-faceted approach that includes concerted efforts at positively engaging Nigeria’s teaming young population, especially the unemployed or under-employed graduates, strengthening cybersecurity laws, improving enforcement mechanisms, and investing in cybersecurity infrastructure.

The Cybercrimes Act 2015 should be reviewed and updated to impose stricter penalties and more effective enforcement mechanisms.

Establishing dedicated cybercrime courts can help expedite the prosecution of offenders, ensuring that justice is served swiftly. Additionally, Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies must be equipped with cutting-edge cybersecurity tools and intelligence to track, analyze, and apprehend cybercriminals. It is not unlikely that foreign nationalities operating within Nigeria’s cyber space also accounts for Nigeria’s current ranking possibly because of the inadequate cybersecurity tools needed to fight the menace.

Investment in cybersecurity infrastructure is also crucial. The establishment of national cybersecurity monitoring centers, powered by AI-driven security hubs, can help in real-time detection and mitigation of cyber threats. Public-private partnerships can further enhance cybersecurity resilience by fostering collaboration between financial institutions, telecom companies, tech firms, and the government to develop robust cybersecurity solutions.

Also, public awareness and education on cybersecurity hygiene are equally essential. Cybersecurity education should be integrated into school curricula to instill digital security consciousness from an early age. Nationwide cybersecurity awareness campaigns, similar to the U.S.’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month, may be launched to educate citizens on safe online practices. By promoting cybersecurity literacy, individuals and businesses can become more vigilant and reduce their susceptibility to cyber threats.

Nigeria must also enhance her international collaboration in the fight against cybercrime. Strengthening cross-border intelligence sharing with agencies like INTERPOL and the FBI can help track and dismantle cybercrime syndicates operating across multiple jurisdictions. Moreover, reinforcing extradition and legal cooperation with other countries will ensure that cybercriminals can be prosecuted, regardless of their location.

In conclusion, the concerted efforts of well-meaning cybersecurity professionals of Nigerian origin, both those at home and the vast army of those in the diaspora will go a long way to help. A plea to those in the diaspora is that they contribute to cybersecurity infrastructural development and mentorship of the younger generation while those at home should continue to guide the government with the right policies based on their understanding of the problem in addition to their expertise.

I am therefore making a clarion call to fellow professional colleagues to keep on championing the cause of reducing cybercrimes in Nigeria.