Don attributes internet fraud to poor morals, economy

Prof. Adetoun Idowu of the Department of Library and Information Sciences, University of Ilorin has attributed the prevalence of internet fraud among Nigerian youth to moral decadence and economic challenges.

Idowu made the observation on Friday in a paper presentation at the 200th Inaugural Lecture of the University titled: ‘the convergence of practice and teaching: an exciting world of library and information science’.

The don stated that internet fraud was one of the most rapidly increasing forms of cybercrime and rampant among students because of their exposure to different internet devices.

According to her, other factors responsible for students’ involvement in internet fraud include peer pressure and inadequate employment opportunities after school.

“It was also found that there was no significant difference in the factors responsible for students’ involvement in internet fraud as expressed by tertiary institutions students in Ilorin on the basis of gender, place of residence and family type.”

She said that to tackle the growing cases of cybercrime among Nigerian youth, the government should provide employment opportunities to students after school.

Idowu also called for an improved economic standard of living for the average Nigerian.

The expert in Information Sciences described the field as associated with computer science, psychology, and technology and intelligence agencies.

She, however, decried the low patronage of Libraries among students in the country, adding that most students only sought information mainly to pass their examinations.

Similarly, the don called for individualised and specialised services for physically challenged students of higher institutions.

“This would enhance the educational pursuits of students with special needs within the University,” she said.

She also advised that all mini automated libraries in Nigeria should be fully automated, adding that this was the current trend in the discipline.

“Academic libraries must be flexible enough to tolerate and accommodate the yearnings, needs and nuances of the youth, who are technology savvy and who want to conduct research in a conducive and sophisticated environment,” Idowu said.