The Federal Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the Nationwide Orientation Company (NOA), on Monday, launched a nationwide marketing campaign to boost public consciousness on cybercrime, calling on Nigerians particularly younger individuals to remain vigilant and use expertise responsibly.
The 2025 Cybercrime Consciousness Stroll, which kicked off in Abuja, introduced collectively youth volunteers, legislation enforcement officers, and representatives from civil society below the theme “In direction of a coordinated and knowledgeable nationwide response to cybercrime”.
Talking in the course of the occasion, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Muhammad Abubakar Babadoko, stated the marketing campaign was a part of a broader effort to strengthen the nation’s response to rising cyber-related offences.
“This 12 months’s marketing campaign is vital as a result of it builds on the successes of the previous,” he stated. “Cybercrime is rampant now. The way in which expertise has made life straightforward for everybody, criminals are additionally making the most of it. Committing crime at present is only a click on away.”
Babadoko defined that whereas prosecution and investigation stay central to the ministry’s work, consciousness creation is equally essential.
“Facet by aspect with our prosecutorial capabilities, we should sensitise the general public to steer clear of crimes. In that manner, we are able to convey down the price of investigation and prosecution,” he added.
In line with him, the notice drive won’t be restricted to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) however will prolong to varsities, markets, and communities throughout the nation.
“This can be a nationwide initiative. We’ll go to major faculties, secondary faculties, universities, and youth corps camps. The purpose is to achieve each nook and cranny of Nigeria,” he stated.
In his tackle to contributors earlier than the stroll started, Babadoko described the train as “a motion of conscience and accountability.”
“We stroll to boost consciousness, to coach our communities, and to remind each Nigerian that cybercrime impacts us all our financial system, our nationwide safety, and our day by day lives. Sufficient of scams, extortion, identification theft, and cyberbullying,” he stated.
“The digital house is just not lawless. Each rip-off or hacking incident is punishable below the Cybercrime Act. Nigerians should study to guard their knowledge, report suspicious actions, and use expertise responsibly.”
He additionally urged younger Nigerians to channel their creativity into innovation and entrepreneurship slightly than on-line fraud.
“Our youths are among the many brightest on the earth. Allow us to use that brilliance to construct options, not scams,” he added.
Representing the director-general of Nationwide Orientation Company (NOA), Barr. Tessy Nnalue, Director of Group Security, Consciousness, and Compliance, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to sustaining the marketing campaign by way of mass sensitisation.
“With out expertise, we go nowhere. But when our youths use it for cybercrime, ‘yahoo-yahoo’ and the remaining, it’ll diminish what the federal government is attempting to realize by digitalising the nation,” she stated.
Nnalue famous that the NOA would leverage its nationwide presence and communication channels, together with radio, tv, native languages, and neighborhood outreach, to unfold the message.
“What we’re doing at present is just not a one-off exercise. It will likely be sustained. Dad and mom should additionally play their half, ask questions when your kids come house with costly presents. The love of cash is the foundation of the evil we’re struggling now,” she warned.
