An Information Technology expert, Olaniyi Ayoola, has charged internet fraudsters, popularly called Yahoo boys, to make legal use of the opportunities provided by technology to make money legally.
The IT expert charged them to channel their energy towards technologically-driven innovations and earn money legally rather than swindling unsuspecting individuals to amass wealth.
Ayoola, who is the Team Lead of TechSummit Ogun, gave the charge on Monday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while addressing journalists ahead of the 5th edition of the yearly summit.
He said the majority of the Yahoo boys are tech-savvy young Nigerians, whose knowledge, he said, could be legitimately deployed to transform society.
It was recalled that Governor Dapo Abiodun had recently declared war against internet fraudsters in Ogun, saying the state has the largest percentage of them due to the presence of many higher learning institutions.
Asked if there is a way to use technology in tackling the menace of Yahoo-yahoo and ritual killings, Ayoola said: “Most of these people that are committing these crimes are also tech-savvy. But they don’t know that they can even make more money doing tech legally than doing it illegally and involving in crimes.
“Check all these small companies coming up, they are owned by young people. It is the same amount of time that they use in making legal money in tech that those making illegal money also use.
“Though I am not a security expert, there are many ways government can make use of tech to check crime. One of which is to educate the youths on how they can make money through tech without committing crimes.
Ayoola also took a swipe at the Ogun State Government over the establishment of a Tech Hub in Kobape, saying “government has no business running a Tech Hub.”
He said, “Let the government create the enabling environment that will make these youths take advantage of tech.
“And that is why I said the government doesn’t have any business in running hubs, no! Their job is to create the enabling environment for tech hubs to thrive. And that is one of the things we are trying to achieve and we have started the process. The Ecosystem is growing and we hope the government will see this and key into it.”