₦airaland Forum

I know that many people will glance at this title and instantly jump to the conclusion that I am somehow defending internet fraud or supporting it in any way. Let me be absolutely clear and unequivocal: I am not. Fraud is a serious and harmful cancer that not only destroys our collective reputation but also inflicts significant damage on countless innocent people who fall victim to it.

However, if we continue to concentrate solely on going after the "boys" responsible without taking the time to understand the deeper "why" behind their actions, then we are essentially just trying to fetch water with a basket—completely ineffective and futile.

We need to honestly admit the undeniable truth: Yahoo Yahoo is merely a symptom of a much deeper problem. If you only focus on curing a symptom while completely ignoring the underlying disease, the patient will inevitably continue to suffer and eventually die.

The Real Diseases are

The Collapse of the "Education = Success" Pipeline: We have thousands of graduates who followed every step correctly and met all the requirements, yet they now find themselves having to "buy" positions for jobs that pay as little as ₦30,000 a month. When the official and legitimate path is obstructed by an unyielding wall, people will inevitably find a way to carve out a path through the wilderness, no matter how difficult it may be.

The Worship of "Net Worth" over "Network": Our society today has largely lost respect for the value of process and the time it takes to achieve meaningful progress. Whether in our places of worship or within the intimate setting of family gatherings, the individual who holds the financial resources is often automatically regarded as the "wise one" or the person with the most authority. A young person, only 20 years old, observes firsthand how his father was treated after dedicating 30 years of honest and diligent civil service, and from that experience, he makes the decision that he does not want to follow that same path or lead that kind of life.

State-Sponosred "Yahoo": When young people witness leaders who are unable to justify the misuse or loss of billions of Naira yet continue to walk free without facing any consequences, and even receive prestigious national honors, they do not perceive these actions as criminal offenses. Instead, they view such behavior as a model or blueprint for success. We are in the process of raising a generation that genuinely believes that "crime is only considered a crime if you are poor," creating a dangerous divide in how justice is perceived and applied.

Economic Exclusion: In many other countries around the world, a tech-savvy young person has the opportunity to easily secure a startup loan or find a remote job that pays in US Dollars through legal and straightforward channels. However, in Nigeria, the existing system makes it extremely challenging to receive foreign payments or operate a legitimate business. As a result, countless "hustlers" and entrepreneurs find it much simpler and more practical to remain under the radar and conduct their activities informally rather than navigating the complex and restrictive official processes.

The Bottom Line

The EFCC has the capacity to arrest as many as 1,000 boys every single week, yet despite these efforts, as long as the deeply rooted "Disease" of widespread unemployment, systemic corruption within institutions, and a fractured moral compass in society continues to persist, an even greater number—approximately 2,000 more individuals—will inevitably join their ranks.

To my fellow Nairalanders: Do you believe that the so-called "Yahoo menace" can ever truly be stopped if the Nigerian economy continues to operate as it currently does, with its existing challenges and limitations? Or have we perhaps reached a critical point of no return, where even if the economy improves significantly and becomes stronger, the deep-rooted greed and corrupt practices will persist regardless, making it extremely difficult to completely eradicate this issue?

Last year wey one of my guy chop wire of 35M, baba go give him two babes belle very fast, him think say 35M na better money.. now him broke die, I see am for road I swear I think say na begger, him no fit look me for eyes shame won kill am.

Omo, na the classic Yahoo story be that. Easy come, easy go. This is why I say it's a symptom. These boys are chasing the bag because of 'urgent 2k' mentality and the pressure to show off. Once the 'wire' stops, reality sets in. 35M for person wey no get orientation na just 'party money.' If him get legit work or a system that actually works, he wouldn't need to 'chop wire' to feel like a man, and he definitely wouldn't waste it on two bellies at once. Sad reality."

KingDashx:
Last year wey one of my guy chop wire of 35M, baba go give him two babes belle very fast, him think say 35M na better money.. now him broke die, I see am for road I swear I think say na begger, him no fit look me for eyes shame won kill am.

1

The true danger lies in only treating the symptom through arrests and sermons while the disease (economic exclusion, poor governance, eroded hope, and the institutional capture symbolized by these renamings) continues to fester. This approach only creates a cycle, not a solution. Until the fundamental issues of governance, economic planning, and a restoration of meritocratic and intellectual values are addressed, such symptoms will continue to manifest. The youth are not just choosing crime they are reacting to a system that too often celebrates political success over genuine achievement, leaving them to seek validation and survival in the only ways they see as available.


My Questions is
How can they believe in a system that invests more in symbolic gestures for the powerful than in the quality of education, research facilities, or lecturer welfare?

I swear down.. for my mind I say if the guy ask me for money, me and him go fight for this place.


I no dey pity them
How person go blow 35M

Akinpedia:
Omo, na the classic Yahoo story be that. Easy come, easy go. This is why I say it's a symptom. These boys are chasing the bag because of 'urgent 2k' mentality and the pressure to show off. Once the 'wire' stops, reality sets in. 35M for person wey no get orientation na just 'party money.' If him get legit work or a system that actually works, he wouldn't need to 'chop wire' to feel like a man, and he definitely wouldn't waste it on two bellies at once. Sad reality."

You have hit the nail on the head, and that question is the ultimate 'checkmate' for anyone who thinks arrests will solve this.

How can we ask a 20-year-old to 'believe in the process' when he sees his professors—men who have spent 40 years in research—going on strike every year just to ask for basic welfare? When the 'symbols' of success in Nigeria are people who can't explain their source of wealth, but the symbols of 'hard work' (teachers/lecturers) are living in debt, the youth will naturally choose the path that pays.

We are running a 'Reverse Meritocracy.' In a normal system, your brain and your sweat determine your height. In the Nigerian system, your 'connection' and your 'hustle' (legal or illegal) determine your height.

Until the government realizes that a well-funded university and a thriving research sector are the best 'Anti-Yahoo' tools available, they are just wasting taxpayers' money on raids. You cannot arrest a mindset that was created by a failed system.

lilsmart:
1

The true danger lies in only treating the symptom through arrests and sermons while the disease (economic exclusion, poor governance, eroded hope, and the institutional capture symbolized by these renamings) continues to fester. This approach only creates a cycle, not a solution. Until the fundamental issues of governance, economic planning, and a restoration of meritocratic and intellectual values are addressed, such symptoms will continue to manifest. The youth are not just choosing crime they are reacting to a system that too often celebrates political success over genuine achievement, leaving them to seek validation and survival in the only ways they see as available.


My Questions is
How can they believe in a system that invests more in symbolic gestures for the powerful than in the quality of education, research facilities, or lecturer welfare?

Greed definitely plays a huge role here. For the record, the USA and China have plenty of hackers and fraudsters too—it's just that Nigerians tend to be louder about it. Even if our economy were as robust as America's, we’d still have this issue. The economy might be a factor, but it’s not the root cause. A lot of our youths are just obsessed with quick money. At the end of the day, it’s about greed; a guy can make $10k and instead of investing in himself, he’ll squander it on clubs and vices. As long as that greed exists, scamming isn't going anywhere.

I appreciate this perspective, and you’re 100% right about one thing: Greed is a universal human trait. You mentioned the USA and China—they have scammers too.

But here is the difference: In the USA or China, a brilliant 'hacker' or someone with that level of social engineering skill has a high-paying legal alternative. In Silicon Valley, a guy with that brain is being chased by Google and Meta with a $200k salary. In Nigeria, where is the alternative for that same brain?

You said even with a good economy, we’d still have the issue. I agree. But it would be a marginal issue (a crime on the fringes), not a national identity involving millions of youth.

Regarding the 'squandering' of $10k on clubs—that is exactly part of the 'Disease' I’m talking about. When wealth is illegitimate, there is no 'future' to plan for. It’s 'fast money' so they spend it fast. In a stable economy, people invest because they believe the system will protect their investment. In Nigeria, most youth don't believe in tomorrow, so they 'chop' everything today.

Greed is the spark, but a failed economy is the petrol that turned a small fire into a national forest fire.

SpencerForbes:
Greed definitely plays a huge role here. For the record, the USA and China have plenty of hackers and fraudsters too—it's just that Nigerians tend to be louder about it. Even if our economy were as robust as America's, we’d still have this issue. The economy might be a factor, but it’s not the root cause. A lot of our youths are just obsessed with quick money. At the end of the day, it’s about greed; a guy can make $10k and instead of investing in himself, he’ll squander it on clubs and vices. As long as that greed exists, scamming isn't going anywhere.

Akinpedia:
I appreciate this perspective, and you’re 100% right about one thing: Greed is a universal human trait. You mentioned the USA and China—they have scammers too.

But here is the difference: In the USA or China, a brilliant 'hacker' or someone with that level of social engineering skill has a high-paying legal alternative. In Silicon Valley, a guy with that brain is being chased by Google and Meta with a $200k salary. In Nigeria, where is the alternative for that same brain?

You said even with a good economy, we’d still have the issue. I agree. But it would be a marginal issue (a crime on the fringes), not a national identity involving millions of youth.

Regarding the 'squandering' of $10k on clubs—that is exactly part of the 'Disease' I’m talking about. When wealth is illegitimate, there is no 'future' to plan for. It’s 'fast money' so they spend it fast. In a stable economy, people invest because they believe the system will protect their investment. In Nigeria, most youth don't believe in tomorrow, so they 'chop' everything today.

Greed is the spark, but a failed economy is the petrol that turned a small fire into a national forest fire.

That’s all correct. Very nice perspective

KingDashx:
Last year wey one of my guy chop wire of 35M, baba go give him two babes belle very fast, him think say 35M na better money.. now him broke die, I see am for road I swear I think say na begger, him no fit look me for eyes shame won kill am.

Did he marry or na baby mama

For where.. both baby mamas are into OS now..
With the kind of lifestyle he showed those girls I don't think they will be with him

Sirchiboy:
Did he marry or na baby mama

KingDashx:
For where.. both baby mamas are into OS now..
With the kind of lifestyle he showed those girls I don't think they will be with him

So is the guy still into it or he is now learning work

As long as the rate of unemployment and underpaying is still persistent then more army of young people will be joining the Yahoo Yahoo business

This is the reality on the ground. It’s a simple game of numbers.

Every year, we churn out hundreds of thousands of graduates into an economy that is shrinking, not expanding. When the 'Army of Unemployed' becomes larger than the 'Army of the Employed,' the country is essentially sitting on a time bomb.

People keep talking about 'morality,' but hunger has no ears. If a young man sees his mother sick and can't afford a N5,000 drug, but sees his peer 'pressing laptop' and making millions, the moral lectures of the government will sound like noise to him.

We are literally 'outsourcing' our best brains to cybercrime because the 'legit' sector is underpaying and overworking. Until a 9-to-5 job can at least pay for a decent room, three square meals, and transport, the 'Army' of Yahoo recruits will only keep growing. You cannot arrest an entire generation.

GAZADEYPARA:
As long as the rate of unemployment and underpaying is still persistent then more army of young people will be joining the Yahoo Yahoo business

Who sabi this guy? E dey call himself Davison, claim say e dey Cape Town, South Africa. E dey form big man, drive Mercedes AMG.
I dey find correct info about am—real name, who e be really.
Too much maga-maga and wahala don come from this guy. I no dey look for trouble, I just want things run straight and fair, no funny business.

I really don't know, but when I knew him back in the days, he used to install solar panels or something

Sirchiboy:
So is the guy still into it or he is now learning work