The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, emphasized the need for diverse stakeholder involvement to effectively combat cybercrime in Nigeria. She made this statement at the 2024 National Cybersecurity Summit, organized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja.
The summit, themed “Alternatives to Cybercrime; Optimizing Cyber Skills for National Development,” aimed to raise awareness about the dangers of cybercrime and promote positive uses of cyber skills. It was supported by the EU-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC-Phase II) Programme of the International Institute of Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).
Mrs. Tinubu noted that cybercrime is not only an offense against individuals or businesses but also an assault on the collective integrity, economic stability, and future of the nation’s youth. She expressed concern over the rising involvement of young people in cybercrime, urging parents to instill good values, morals, and patriotism in their children.
The First Lady commended EFCC Chairman Mr. Ola Olukoyede for organizing the summit, highlighting its relevance to current global challenges. She stressed the importance of a collaborative approach involving parents, law enforcement, educational institutions, the private sector, religious leaders, traditional rulers, business leaders, communities, and civil society.
“Emphasizing a culture of hard work rooted in honesty and dignity of labor among our youth is crucial. Parents play a pivotal role in guiding their children to be God-fearing,” she said, advocating for open communication and trust between parents and their children to address their fears and insecurities.