A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF CYBERCRIME AND ITS INFLUENCE ON NIGERIA EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM (CASE STUDY OF SOME SELECTED UNIVERSITIES IN EDO STATE)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The growth of the internet and increased access to computer technology has created new opportunities for work and business, as well as for those who engage in illegal activities. The rise of technology and online communication has not only resulted in a dramatic increase in the incidence of criminal activities, but also appears to have resulted in the emergence of a new variety of criminal activities. The rise in the frequency of criminal activity, as well as the potential emergence of new types of criminal activity, pose challenges to legal systems and law enforcement (Dennis, 2009). Since the internet's inception and Nigeria's participation in this worldwide activity, there has been a rapid increase in the number of crimes committed on the internet via various platforms such as social media, emails, dating websites, online stores, mobile banking, trade and service websites, and social engineering (Agasi, 2010). Over the years, society has become increasingly reliant on new information technology to conduct business via online services such as Jumia, Konga, Wakanow, E-bay, Amazon, and Alibaba, manage industrial activities, and engage in personal communication via social media sites such as Facebook, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Pinetrest, Badoo, Tinder, Twitter, LinkedIn, and many others. These technologies and information enable huge gains in efficiency, production, and other advantages; but, they offer a vulnerability for individuals who desire to exploit the system and new scenarios (Dennis, 2009).

Cybercrime is one of the world's fastest growing diseases, and as technology progresses, so does the incidence of Cyber Crime. Because of the ever-increasing rate of technological and ICT-related improvements, the world would have been a better place with more chances. However, Cyber-related Crimes are also on the rise, with far-reaching consequences for the community at large. Students at practically all academic levels are active in Cyber Crime in some form (Agasi, 2010). Cybercrime is currently pervasive in Nigerian culture, with fraud being the most common type. This is due to the high prevalence of unemployment and other societal variables that keep the adolescents craving for more, particularly those who crave for material excess.

Agasi, (2010) noticed that this encourages the youth to explore their talents in the online realm and how they might gain from it without being caught, knowing that Nigeria lacks adequate enforcement tools. Cybercriminals, who go by titles like "yahoo-yahoo," occupy a sizable portion of social media and the online ecosystem where money, data, and transactions are transferred. They live a luxury lifestyle and have a notorious persona thanks to the revenues of internet surfing. They even go so far as to combine spiritual aspects with internet browsing to cast a spell on their victim, causing them to fall for their demand. All these impacts on university undergraduates and their academic achievement.

 Madume, (2012) observed that to the University students, the internet has the potential to affect education and national development, and this has inspired individuals, institutions, and organizations to construct cyber cafés where people may easily access knowledge from the internet.

Opportunities of this kind are bound in Nigerian universities and other high institutions in accordance with the goals of tertiary education, which include, among other things, acquiring both physical and intellectual skills that will enable individuals to be self-reliant and useful members of society. Youths and most especially undergraduates account for a higher proportion of internet users, and there is a contradicting report on ICT competences and usage by gender, with males outnumbering girls. However, some people abuse these talents and misuse knowledge and information diversity, leading to illegality or cybercrime (Madume, 2012).

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Undergraduate scammers who have simply shifted from the streets to an electronic platform are presently hiding on the internet. The internet's contribution to academic progress among Nigerian undergraduates has been tainted by the deliberate emergence of fresh waves of criminality (Dennis, 2009). The internet has also become a breeding ground for the most prolific and risk-free offense. Cybercrime has come as a surprise and a weird presence in Nigeria for the time being.

With each passing day, we witness an increase in the number of worrisome incidents of cybercrime perpetrated by Nigerian undergraduates, with each new example more distressing than the one before. It has become a tenacious mouth sore that gives us a lot of agony and embarrassment because criminally minded undergraduates at Ebonyi State University are stealing and committing all sorts of academic and economic crimes with the use of online communication and transactions on the internet (Nwannema and Unadia, 2004).

In most situations, several types of crimes are seen, such as exam carelessness, admission falsification, rape, robbery and larceny, sexual molestation, assault, and cultism. With this heinous incident, the face of the department and the university as a whole has suffered several defeats in their academic endeavor. This has impacted greatly on the academic performance of students who are involved in this crime.

Following the work on the necessity to assess the net balance of functional effects of the phenomena rather than the premise universal functionalism, it is only worthy to state that cybercrime is completely dysfunctional and will bring poor integrity to the educational sector if not managed. The desire for teenagers to participate in cybercrime has grown as a result of seeing the affluent lifestyle fluent on social media, clubs, and other social events without realizing the risk underlying this money. Some young people go so far as to drop out of school in order to join the cybercriminal pyramid. This signifies that the godfather recruits, trains, and mentors kids (Agasi, 2010).

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The primary aim of this study is to critically analyse Cybercrime and its influence on Nigeria Educational System. Other aims of this study are:

i.          To examine the impact of cybercrime on academic performance of University students.

ii.        To discuss the effects cyber crime has on the educational system

iii.      To determine the factors causing Nigerian undergraduates to be involved in cyber crime.

iv.      To discuss possible ways to reduce cyber crime in Nigerian University

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions guide this topic.

i.          What are the impacts of cybercrime on academic performance of University students?

ii.        What are the effects cyber crime has on the educational system?

iii.      What are the factors causing Nigerian undergraduates to be involved in cyber crime?

iv.      What are the possible ways to reduce cyber crime in Nigerian Universities?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will be beneficial to the education sector as the findings of this study will reveal the impacts cyber crimes have on on the academic performance of students. It will also be of benefit to the federal government as it will help put effective policies in place that will help to fight this menace.

Finally, this study wll serve as an existing for further studies and future reference.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study will be focused on critically analysing of Cybercrime and its influence on Nigeria Educational System. It will also focus on the impacts or effects cyber crime has on the academic performance of students, its negative effects on the educational sector and the factors that cause students to get involved with cyber crime.

This study will use lecturers and students of Benson Idahosa University, University of Benin, and Edo State University as enrolled participants of the survey.

1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This study will be limited to critically analysing of Cybercrime and its influence on Nigeria Educational System. This study will be limited to lecturers and students of Benson Idahosa University, University of Benin, and Edo State University.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Critical: characterised by careful analysis and judgement

Analysis: detailed examination of the elements or structure of something.

Cybercrime: criminal activities carried out by means of computers or the internet.

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