Cybercrime and its Effect on Nation Identity Image: Pragmatic Evidence from Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines the influence of cybercrime on the national image. Specifically, the overall aim is to identify factors influencing cybercrime in Nigeria and to determine the extent to which cybercrime influences national image. The study utilizes a survey design, employing a purposive sampling technique to select 10 lawyers, 10 EFCC officers, 10 ICPC officers, and 10 judges from each of the following cities: Lagos, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Osogbo, Akure, and Ado- Ekiti. This total of 240 participants comprised the study's sample size. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data and data analysis was performed with the aid of mean, chi-square, and path analysis. The results reveal that high unemployment rates, inadequate security on personal devices, broken homes, lack of moral values and parental supervision, a weak judicial system, weak law enforcement, the pursuit of wealth, negative role models and poverty peer groups, and the absence of a functional national database are major factors influencing cybercrime in Nigeria. Evidence also reveals that cybercrime has an inverse influence on the national image of Nigeria. The findings gleaned from this study strongly underscore cybercrime as a grave threat to Nigeria's national image. Therefore, to safeguard the country's reputation, it is imperative that the government and relevant stakeholders take proactive measures to prevent and combat cybercrime.