The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced plans to launch a Cybercrime Response Academy aimed at rehabilitating convicted cybercriminals in Nigeria, by offering them digital training and monthly stipends.
EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede unveiled the initiative at the 2025 National Cybersecurity Conference held in Abuja on Wednesday, July 9. According to Olukoyede, the academy will provide vocational training and financial support to aid reintegration into society.
The plan has sparked a wave of debate. In a country often labelled a global hub for cyber fraud, the idea of rehabilitating “Yahoo boys” through state-funded programmes is as radical as it is controversial.
But the bigger question, on the lips of the public, remains: what exactly is the EFCC trying to achieve by offering training, and stipends to convicted cybercriminals in Nigeria, while millions of law-abiding citizens struggle with limited access to digital opportunities?
The Proposal at a Glance
According to Olukoyede, the EFCC plans to open a 500-capacity cybercrime rehabilitation centre by 2026, expanding to 2,500 participants over time.
“We are building a plan now, where we are getting the support of some key development partners to build a 500-capacity cybercrime response centre. We are going to bring in these guys and direct their skills toward the productive sector,” Olukoyede said.
He added that the facility will provide vocational training, monthly stipends, and a structured environment to help convicted cybercriminals reintegrate into society. The academy, he noted, is expected to become operational next year.
“We hope this centre will be operational by next year, with 2,500 people. At that time, we will support them with allowances,” Olukoyede confirmed.
Can the Academy Work?
At the heart of this policy is the belief that many cybercriminals possess high-level digital skills that, if redirected, could contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s tech-driven economy.
Many experts have pointed out that the Cybercrime Response Academy offers a sound approach: treat skilled but misdirected cybercriminals not just as offenders, but as underutilised assets. However, implementation will be key, and there are serious questions:
- Will the academy attract the right kind of participant, those capable of reformation?
- Can it maintain security while housing skilled hackers?
- Who guarantees employment post-training?
- What happens if these individuals return to fraud after reintegration?
According to cybersecurity experts, without strong post-release structures, including job placement, mentoring, psychological support, recidivism may persist.
What Experts Say
The EFCC’s proposed Cybercrime Response Academy has split expert opinion. While some see it as an innovative approach to reducing cybercrime through skill redirection, others argue it sends dangerous signals to law-abiding citizens and risks undermining the justice system’s integrity.
Aminat Jimoh, a Lagos-based Barrister delivers a stark rebuke of the initiative. She believes the policy is not only flawed in concept but dangerous in its wider message to young Nigerians.
“Rewarding cybercriminals with training and stipends, while law-abiding youth struggle to access jobs, or similar resources shows the country is in a bad state,” she told Tech Parley. “This is a very bad initiative. It tells young people that crime pays—literally.”
According to her, if the government is serious about reintegration, it should begin with inclusive digital education and job pathways for all, not just those who’ve been convicted.
Security expert David James also raised concerns about the initiative’s underlying assumptions. He warns that focusing on rehabilitation without stronger deterrents or transparency mechanisms could backfire.
“We don’t even have a national offender database, yet we want to train convicted fraudsters with public money? Rehabilitation is good, but where’s the vetting? Where’s the oversight? Without clear safeguards, this could incentivise more crime,” David said.
However, not all views have been critical. Ridwan Adelaja, media aide to Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, believes the initiative signals a more balanced and inclusive approach to governance.
“It’s the kind of delicate balance where the government is trying to be more inclusive,” Adelaja said. “We’ve seen numerous initiatives targeted at the general populace. This programme extends that same opportunity to convicted individuals—giving them a second chance to lead and live a better life.”
Muhammad Akintunde, a cybersecurity expert, offers a more nuanced view. While acknowledging the risks, he believes the EFCC’s move may hold value if executed with fairness and balance.
“We can’t ignore the reality that many cybercriminals are using real tech skills—skills that could be redirected. But any rehabilitation initiative must go hand-in-hand with investments in digital job creation for law-abiding youth,” he said.
Muhammad adds that without a national digital opportunity strategy, where both ex-offenders and law-abiding citizens have access to resources, the academy could unintentionally deepen resentment and widen inequality.
Crackdown on Foreign-Led Cybercrime Syndicates
In a related development, Olukoyede disclosed that the Commission had recently dismantled one of the largest international cybercrime syndicates operating within Nigeria.
In a single December 2024 operation, the EFCC arrested 194 suspects, 182 of whom were foreign nationals accused of using stolen Nigerian identities to commit large-scale fraud.
Of the total number arrested, 146 individuals have already been convicted in court. The EFCC chairman confirmed that the convicted foreign nationals will be deported upon completion of their prison sentences.
“After the jail time, they will be repatriated back to their country,” Olukoyede said, reiterating the Commission’s fight against cybercrime.
The Commission’s crackdown on foreign-led cybercrime syndicates has drawn praises for its effectiveness and international reach. Samuel David, a cybersecurity consultant, praised the EFCC for the crackdown.
“The bust shows Nigeria can dismantle global cybercrime rings using domestic intelligence. Pairing that with a reintegration framework for local offenders is smart policy,” Samuel said.
With the establishment of the Cybercrime Response Academy, the EFCC appears to be pursuing a two-pronged strategy: prevention through capacity-building and deterrence through prosecution and repatriation.
Industry experts believe, if successfully implemented, the academy could serve as a model across Africa.
Talking Points
The EFCC’s Cybercrime Response Academy is one of the boldest reform ideas Nigeria has seen in recent years. At Techparley, we see both the promise and peril of this initiative.
On one hand, the idea of empowering cybercriminals in Nigeria with technical skills reflects an evolved, restorative justice approach, especially in a country where digital skills are in demand and digital crime is rampant.
The government must ensure the programme does not reinforce the dangerous perception that crime is a pathway to opportunity. That means embedding safeguards—strict vetting, behavioural assessments, psychological support, and post-release accountability mechanisms.
Equally important is the need to balance reintegration with deterrence. The EFCC’s parallel crackdown on foreign cybercrime syndicates is a welcome show of strength, but the academy must not dilute consequences for local offenders. Justice must be both rehabilitative and instructive.
Nigeria’s digital future depends on building trust in systems, security, and opportunity. If this Academy succeeds, it could become a model across Africa. If mishandled, it may embolden a new generation of cybercriminals chasing rewards at the edge of reform.
