Held at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Kuto, the event attracted a distinguished audience, including His Royal Majesty, Prof. Saka Matemilola, Olowu of Owu Kingdom, represented by Dr. Abiodun Lashile, the Orunto of Owu.
The lecture, titled Cyber Delinquencies and the Imperative of Strategic Intervention, was delivered by Ibietan, who noted that the thematic focus of the paper resonated deeply with the concerns of the leadership of
ARODSSON.“I was chosen to present this lecture in my capacity as Secretary General of the African Public Relations Association,” Ibietan stated. “In this role, I have worked extensively on the reputational damage caused by the rampant spread of cyber criminality.
Today, we are witnessing a world where cyber crimes, such as romance scams and identity theft, are devastating lives across the globe.”
Ibietan shared a striking example of a lady who fell victim to a romance scam, losing a staggering $100,000 from her retirement fund.
He further highlighted an EFCC revelation regarding a ring of cyber criminals who raked in an astonishing five billion naira through illicit activities.
In his address, Ibietan used traditional criminological theories to explain the phenomenon of cyber criminality but argued that these frameworks alone may be inadequate in explaining the full scope of the problem.
“While traditional theories of crime have served us well, they fall short in explaining the rise of online crimes,” he explained. “The social conditions we face today—global economic instability, high youth unemployment, and the lure of digital anonymity—have created fertile ground for cyber delinquents to thrive.”
He cited the works of renowned scholars and thinkers, including Noam Chomsky, Yuval Harari, and the late Prof. Wole Soyinka, to draw attention to the broader socio-cultural implications of digital crimes.
Ibietan noted that Soyinka, in particular, has long expressed concerns about the destructive impact of social technology on youth and society.
“I couldn’t help but echo Soyinka’s observations from Interventions and his Personal Odyssey in the Republic of Liars,” Ibietan remarked. “His firsthand experience with social technology-enabled identity theft is a cautionary tale that underscores the need for urgent reform.”
Ibietan also reflected on the potential dangers posed by unethical uses of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI). Drawing from the insights of experts like Yuval Harari, Mustafa Suleyman, and Daron Acemoglu, he warned that AI, if used irresponsibly, could lead to disastrous consequences. “The unchecked use of AI may pose a grave threat to our collective security,” he cautioned. “The consequences of indiscreet and unethical use of these technologies could annihilate us if we are not careful.”
In closing, Ibietan proposed a series of strategies aimed at combating cyber delinquency.
He called for the strengthening of legal frameworks, a revamp of security sector governance, and a central coordinating office to address digital subversion effectively.
Ibietan also stressed the importance of rebuilding citizens’ trust in
security agencies, noting that over 30 percent of Nigerians reported mental health issues tied to online abuse.
“The numbers are alarming,” Ibietan said. “40 percent of social technology users have reported being mistreated online, yet 70 percent of them did not report the incidents to the authorities.
We have a long way to go in rebuilding citizens’ trust in our legal and security systems.”
In his final remarks, Ibietan underscored the importance of collaboration across sectors, citing studies from reputable institutions like the EFCC, NCC, Deloitte, and the African Union. “Strategic intervention must not only come from government agencies, but from all sectors—private, public, and civil society,” he concluded.
The lecture served as a timely reminder of the urgent need for a multi-faceted approach to addressing the complex and evolving threat of cyber delinquency in Nigeria and beyond.
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