TheCable

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has partnered with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to introduce a course aimed at combating internet fraud better known as “Yahoo Yahoo”.

Abdalla Adamu, the university vice-chancellor, announced this during the launch of Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL) operated by the university, in Abuja on Monday.

Aminu Gusau, EFCC director of organisational support, had requested such course while identifying the university as a critical stakeholder in the fight against crime in Nigeria.

He said the request followed a proposal made by Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman of the anti-graft agency.

“Learning institutions is the best place to start engaging youths as partners in the fight against crime,” he said.

“Whether we like it or not, you are real stakeholders in this fight against corruption. We are trying to see best ways we can be able to collaborate. You are real stakeholders in this fight against corruption.”

Responding, Adamu lauded the initiative which he said will send a strong message to internet fraudsters in Nigeria.

He decried the high rate of cybercrime among youth and said the course will among other things focus on the ethical use of the internet.

The vice-chancellor said: “So I think that it will be a very good idea if we include EFCC as part of inspectoral partners in other to develop a short course on ethics use of internet. Having EFCC as a partner in this will be a very good message to those missing the internet.

“And on behalf of the university, we would like to say we have appointed Dr. Aminu and the executive chairman as central partners in developing a programme on ICT ethics for younger people so that we can reduce this internet fraud that Nigeria is vey well known for.”

He added that many other countries are into it “but Nigerians involved are extremely good at scamming people.”

Adamu earlier said ACETEL is a World Bank-assisted project which would focus on research and development of digital tools and solutions.

He said the centre will also help in building capacity in software development and mobile-based applications through technology-based postgraduate programmes and short courses.

“This is geared towards raising the next generation of digital experts in the West African sub-region,” he said.