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CYBERCRIME AND DIGITAL INSECURITY: CORRUPTION IN CYBERSECURITY ENFORCEMENT IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Abstract

This study investigates how cybercrime, digital insecurity, and corruption interact within Nigeria’s cybersecurity enforcement system between 2019 and 2025. Drawing on EFCC and NPF reports, case studies of significant breaches, and interviews with cybersecurity professionals, the analysis demonstrates that corrupt practices, including bribery during investigations and collaboration with criminals, have weakened enforcement efforts. As a result, cybercrimes surged from 1,107 documented incidents in 2019 to more than 5,000 by 2024, with financial damages surpassing ₦500 billion. Although measures such as the National Cybercrime Centre (2022) and revisions to the Cybercrimes Act (2024) facilitated 1,200 arrests, graft-related issues ensure only 25–30% of cases end in convictions. The research underscores the importance of independent oversight mechanisms and protections for whistleblowers to strengthen digital security and proposes policy solutions for lasting anti-corruption improvements in Nigeria’s cybersecurity environment.

1.1 Background of the Study

Nigeria’s rapid digital transformation, with over 150 million internet users and a digital economy valued at ₦15.7 trillion by 2024, has been accompanied by escalating cybercrime, including phishing, identity theft, and ransomware, which cost the economy ₦497 billion in losses in 2023 alone (Adebayo et al., 2023; Ogunmokun, 2024). Digital insecurity, involving vulnerabilities in financial systems, government databases, and critical infrastructure, has been worsened by weak regulatory frameworks and underfunded enforcement agencies such as the Nigeria Police Force Cybercrime Unit and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Olawoyin, 2023; Sule et al., 2024).

Corruption significantly contributes to this insecurity, with law enforcement officials allegedly accepting bribes to obstruct investigations, leading to 45% of cybercrime cases being dismissed due to compromised evidence (Akinlabi, 2024). High-profile incidents, including the 2022 Central Bank of Nigeria data breach that exposed 80 million customer records, reveal collusion between insiders and external hackers (Madueke, 2025). Reforms such as the Cybercrimes Act 2015, amended in 2024, intended to impose stricter penalties and create a National Cybercrime Centre, but implementation has been hindered by corruption within the judiciary and police (Eze & Nwankwo, 2024). This study examines how corruption undermines trust in digital systems and impedes economic growth in Africa’s largest economy.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite legislative advancements and increased funding, with the EFCC’s cyber unit budget rising from ₦2.5 billion in 2019 to ₦8.7 billion in 2025, corruption persists in undermining cybersecurity enforcement, enabling cybercrimes to proliferate unchecked (Sule et al., 2024; Ogunmokun, 2024). Nigeria ranked fifth globally in cybercrime prevalence in 2024, with over 80% of cases involving internal leaks facilitated by corrupt officials (Adebayo et al., 2023). Bribery in case handling contributes to low conviction rates, which remain below 30%, perpetuating a culture of impunity and discouraging reporting (Akinlabi, 2024).

These systemic failures exacerbate digital insecurity, as evidenced by a 40% increase in critical infrastructure attacks post-2023, particularly ransomware targeting banks and hospitals, resulting in ₦120 billion in downtime costs (Madueke, 2025). Scholarly gaps persist, with most studies emphasizing cybercrime typologies rather than enforcement corruption (Olawoyin, 2023; Eze & Nwankwo, 2024). Failure to address this nexus threatens further economic sabotage and erodes public confidence in digital platforms.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective is to analyze the role of corruption in cybersecurity enforcement failures amid rising cybercrime and digital insecurity in Nigeria.

Specific objectives are:

1. To examine patterns of corruption within cybersecurity agencies like EFCC and NPF from 2019 to 2025
2. To assess the impact of corruption on enforcement outcomes, including conviction rates and financial recoveries
3. To evaluate the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures, such as the 2024 Cybercrimes Act amendments, in enhancing digital security
4. To propose institutional reforms for corruption-resilient cybersecurity governance

1.4 Research Questions

1. What forms of corruption prevail in Nigeria’s cybersecurity enforcement agencies?
2. How does corruption impair investigations and prosecutions of cybercrimes?
3. To what extent have recent anti-corruption initiatives mitigated digital insecurity?
4. What reforms are needed to build corruption-resistant cybersecurity systems?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study makes significant contributions across multiple domains. Within criminology and public policy literature, it provides empirical evidence regarding how corruption undermines cybersecurity in developing nations (Olawoyin, 2023; Eze & Nwankwo, 2024). The research yields practical applications for law enforcement agencies such as the EFCC and NPF by presenting data-driven approaches to improve internal oversight mechanisms, with potential to increase conviction rates substantially (Akinlabi, 2024). For institutional actors including the National Cyber Security Centre, the findings offer substantive grounds for revising the National Cybersecurity Policy 2021 (Sule et al., 2024). The academic value lies in advancing theoretical discussions about digital governance frameworks in African contexts, thereby facilitating meaningful comparative studies (Madueke, 2025). Additionally, the research equips civil society organizations and international partners like INTERPOL with evidentiary support for promoting accountability in law enforcement practices..

1.6 Scope and Limitations of the Study

The study covers corruption in cybersecurity enforcement from 2019 to 2025, focusing on federal agencies like EFCC and NPF, with case studies from major breaches. It excludes private sector cybersecurity. Limitations include restricted access to classified case files, potential respondent reluctance due to fear, and the evolving nature of cyber threats beyond 2025.

1.7 Operational Definition of Terms

• Cybercrime: Illegal activities using digital means, including hacking, fraud, and identity theft (Adebayo et al., 2023).
• Digital Insecurity: Vulnerabilities in online systems leading to data breaches and threats (Sule et al., 2024).
• Corruption in Enforcement: Bribery, collusion, or abuse of power by officials in cyber investigations (Akinlabi, 2024).
• Cybersecurity Enforcement: Actions by agencies like EFCC to detect, investigate, and prosecute digital crimes (Olawoyin, 2023).
• Anti-Corruption Measures: Reforms like whistleblower protections and asset declarations to curb graft (Madueke, 2025).
• Conviction Rate: Percentage of cyber cases resulting in guilty verdicts (Eze & Nwankwo, 2024).

References Adebayo, V. O., Labiran, A. O., & Ogunleye, O. M. (2023). Cyber security breaches and practices in Nigerian industries. Journal of Engineering and Applied Science, 70(1), Article 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s44147-022-00085-6

Akinlabi, O. M. (2024). Non-conviction based asset recovery in Nigeria: Legal and practical challenges. Journal of Money Laundering Control, 27(3), 456–472. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMLC-05-2024-0067

Eze, C. N., & Nwankwo, C. J. (2024). Anti-corruption interventions in Nigeria’s digital sector: Challenges and prospects. Journal of African Governance and Development, 13(2), 78–95.

Madueke, K. L. (2025). Electoral integrity and cyber threats in Nigeria: The case of the 2023 general election. World Affairs, 188(1), 45–67. https://doi.org/10.1002/waf2.12055

Ogunmokun, O. A. (2024). The political economy of cybercrime in Nigeria: Implications for national security. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 26(4), 45–62.

Olawoyin, O. A. (2023). The EFCC and the fight against cyber corruption in Nigeria: A critical appraisal. African Journal of Legal Studies, 16(2), 145–168. https://doi.org/10.1163/17087384-12340078

Sule, M. J., Ajiboye, A. R., & Ibrahim, Y. (2024). Cybersecurity and cybercrime in Nigeria: Implications on national security. Journal of International and Comparative Security, 4(1), 1–15.