THE ROLE OF UNIVERSITY MANAGEMENT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CYBERCRIMES AMONG STUDENTS (A CASE STUDY OF UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

In today's culture, one of the terms that people commonly use is "cybercrime." To comprehend the actual definition of cybercrime, one must first comprehend the meanings of cyber and crime. The term "cyber" is a prefix used to represent a notion that is part of the computer and information era, while "crime" may be defined as any action that violates legal procedure and is usually carried out by people who have a criminal purpose. Cybercrime is defined as an offense committed against a person or a group of individuals with the aim of destroying the victim's reputation or inflicting bodily or mental harm on the victim directly or indirectly, utilizing contemporary telecommunication networks such as the internet and mobile phones (Haider & Jaishankar, 2011). The fact that they have easy access to android phones, tablets, laptops, the internet, and network infrastructure is not a far-fetched cause for the rise in cybercrime. Such crimes can jeopardize a country's security and financial well-being (Saul, 2007). Cybercrime is defined as crimes committed with the use of a computer system. The internet has provided many forums for important studies; yet, cybercrime is a global issue that costs governments billions of dollars. Cybercrime appears to be conducted by people of all ages in Nigeria, from young to old, although the young tend to be the main offenders in recent instances. According to Akpan (2016), cybercrime has led to Nigerian students seeking money in ways other than receiving a university education. Several young people engage in cybercrime with the goal of becoming the best hacker or as a profit-making endeavor, as hacking tools have become more inexpensive in our current society. According to Ngozi (2016), the rate at which Nigerian youngsters are involved in one form or another of cybercrime is a cause for worry. Because cybercrime has the potential to ruin the image and reputation of companies, institutions, and individuals, it is critical to study the role of University Management in the battle against cybercrime among University of Ilorin students.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The primary goal of university education is to prepare students for their future careers. Graduates of today and tomorrow must have the ability to seek out information and possess technological abilities in order to thrive in today's fast-paced, high-tech environment. These pupils must be computer and information literate. The methods for gaining this literacy must be integrated into learning programs and integrated into the educational experience of pupils.

However, few undergraduates at Nigerian universities and other higher learning institutions may be aware of cybercrime, which is defined as criminal activity carried out with the use of a computer system, while many more may be uninformed. Some of them may have been complicit in, if not masterminding, such a crime. Some Nigerians, particularly undergraduates, including those in Kwara state, tend to engage in cybercrime on a regular basis. Such behavior is linked to a number of obvious issues. Cybercrime victims, who are often naive, suffer severe emotional and psychological suffering as a result of being defrauded of their hard-earned money by fraudsters who may even be their own children or relatives. There have been incidents of cybercrime-related suicides. This is especially true when victims believe their entire life has been ripped away as a result of massive financial and investment losses. Perpetrators are sometimes apprehended, arrested, prosecuted in court, and sentenced to life in prison. Parents of victims who are detected are often killed because they are unable to cope with the embarrassment and pain associated with their children's or wards' involvement in cybercrime. Furthermore, the frequency of cybercrime tarnishes a country's reputation in the international community. It may also jeopardize a country's security and financial stability. Students are now enjoying scamming public and private organizations, as well as their peers, while pursuing their academic goals. If this anomaly is not addressed and corrected immediately, our higher education institutions will become a breeding ground for crooks seeking to swindle the school administration and society at large. The goal of this study is to determine the involvement of university administration in the fight against cybercrime among University of Ilorin students.

1.3 OF THE STUDY OBJECTIVE

The overall goal of the research is to:

i.        Determine the level of awareness of university administration about cybercrime among University of Ilorin students.

ii.      Determine the level of involvement of the university administration in the fight against cybercrime among University of Ilorin students.

iii.    Determine how cybercrime among University of Ilorin students can be curbed by the university administration.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions guide the objective of the study:

i.        What is the level of awareness of the university administration about cybercrime among University of Ilorin students?

ii.      What is the level of involvement of the university administration in the fight against cybercrime among University of Ilorin students?

iii.    How can cybercrime among University of Ilorin students be curbed by the university administration?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The overall goal of this study is to determine the involvement of university administration in the fight against cybercrime among University of Ilorin students. The purpose of the study is to determine the level of awareness and involvement among lecturers of cybercrime at the University of Illorin.

This study will contribute to the current literature in this field and will also serve as a resource for academics, researchers, and students who may want to do future research on this or a comparable issue.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The research was limited to the administration of the University of Illorin, Kwara state, Nigeria. And the study focuses on the involvement of university administration in the fight against cybercrime among University of Ilorin students.

1.7 LIMITATION OF STUDY

The study was limited due to the short time frame, budget and the inability to cover all Universities in Kwara state.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

University Management: Management is the administration of an organization, whether it is a business, a non-profit organization, or a government body. 

Cybercrimes: criminal activities that are carried out by means of computers or the internet.