A software engineer, Mr Christopher Ugbebor, has urged the authorities and cyberspace stakeholders to adopt a preventive approach to fighting cybercrimes in the country.
He said this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.
Ugbebor said though there was nothing wrong with meting out punishment on cybercriminals, taking measures to prevent young people from indulging in them was a better option.
According to him, Nigeria can turn the challenges posed by cybercrimes into opportunities by balancing enforcement, opportunity, and cultural shift.
He said by giving youths real choices, protecting institutions, educating citizens, and celebrating the right heroes, Nigeria could transform its digital future, turning a cybercrime crisis into cybersecurity.
“Cybercrime prevention is not just about law and tech; it’s also about empowering citizens. Knowledge alone can make people far less vulnerable. Schools should teach cybersecurity just as they teach Mathematics or English, instilling safe practices early. On a broader scale, awareness campaigns via television, radio, and social media can help people spot phishing attempts or avoid fake investment schemes,” he said.
He told NAN that when victims felt safe reporting fraud, supported by whistle-blower protections and incentives, more criminals could be caught and their tactics exposed.
Ugbebor said that beyond tarnishing the nation’s image, cybercrime undermined economic stability and citizen trust.
According to him, tackling it demands more than arrests; it requires a comprehensive, human-centered strategy that weaves together law, technology, social change, and economic opportunity.
“Supporting tech hubs and startups with grants and mentorship, much like what propelled Flutterwave and Paystack, gives young innovators real paths to build impactful businesses. For others, legitimate income streams like affiliate marketing, e-commerce, or freelancing offer reliable alternatives, without the shame or risks of fraud,” Ugbebor said.
He said banks and fintech platforms were frontlines in the fight against cybercrimes, adding that with stronger monitoring, they could halt fraud before it spreads.
“The EFCC’s Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering must ramp up oversight.
“Platforms such as Opay, Moniepoint, and Binance need stricter KYC (Know Your Client) protocols to close anonymity loopholes.
“Since many scams now use cryptocurrency, investing in blockchain forensics will help trace and dismantle crypto-fraud networks,” he told NAN.
He said cybercrime was not just a legal issue, but also had its cultural dimension, adding that many saw fraud as a shortcut to success; hence, reframing the narrative was essential. (NAN)
