CYBERCRIME AND GLOBAL PERCEPTION OF NIGERIA’S DIGITAL ECONOMY

Abstract

In an era where digital connectivity defines global participation, Nigeria stands at a crossroads, hailed for its rapid technological adoption yet burdened by the scourge of cybercrime. While the country’s youth-led embrace of the digital economy signals immense potential, its growing notoriety as a cybercrime hotspot has tarnished international perceptions and constrained legitimate engagement with its digital economy. Thus, this study critically interrogates how cybercrime shaped global perception of Nigerian digital actors and how this perception affects Nigeria’s participation in the global digital economy between 2015 and 2024. Employing an explanatory research design and a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates qualitative data from Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with law enforcement personnel, cybersecurity experts, academics, financial professionals, and digital entrepreneurs, alongside documentary data from academic literature, official reports, media sources, and social media narratives. Data were analysed using content analysis. Findings reveal that the global digital economy's perception of Nigerian digital actors has been significantly tainted by high-profile cybercrimes, despite the contributions of legitimate digital professionals. This has led to systemic restrictions on Nigerian access to international fintech, freelance, and e-commerce platforms, ultimately stifling innovation, limiting financial inclusion, and deterring foreign investment. The reputational fallout has compromised Nigeria’s digital credibility and obstructed its digital economic advancement. The study concludes that while Nigeria aspires to transition from oil dependency to a diversified digital economy, this ambition remains threatened by cybercrime-induced reputational risks. It recommends the urgent development of robust cybersecurity legislation, institutional reforms including a centralized cybercrime task force, nationwide digital ethics education, and the implementation of inclusive digital identity systems. These interventions are essential to restoring global trust and enabling Nigeria’s equitable integration into the digital economy.