Ugo Nwokolo Yahoo fraud comments spark debate after the Nollywood actor links internet fraud to Nigeria’s economy amid rising living costs

Nollywood actor Ugo Nwokolo has sparked public debate after suggesting that internet fraud, popularly known as “Yahoo”, has contributed to economic activity in Nigeria amid rising living costs and increasing financial pressure on citizens.

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Ugo Nwokolo made the comments during a video discussion, where he spoke about the challenges facing low-income workers and questioned how many civil servants can afford the current cost of housing and daily expenses in major Nigerian cities.

The actor argued that salaries earned by many government workers are increasingly disconnected from the cost of living, particularly in cities such as Lagos and Abuja, where housing costs have risen significantly.

“Personally, I think Yahoo has helped keep the economy afloat. Do you expect a civil servant to afford house rent of N3 million or N5 million in Abuja?” Nwokolo said.

He further questioned how workers earning between N50,000 and N90,000 monthly can cope with high rental costs and other expenses, including clothing and basic needs.

“If you go to Lagos now, the least you’ll see for a two-bedroom apartment is about N7 million or N8 million. Who is supposed to afford it? The civil servants? Of course, it’s the fraudsters,” he added.

The actor’s remarks have generated mixed reactions, with some Nigerians focusing on his comments about economic hardship, while others criticised what they viewed as a defence of illegal activities.

Nwokolo later clarified that his comments were not intended as an endorsement of cybercrime.

He said he was highlighting the difficult economic conditions that have pushed some people towards questionable sources of income.

“I’m not justifying crime, but yes, Yahoo is helping the economy. How do you expect people to live in this kind of economy?” he said.

Internet fraud, commonly referred to as “Yahoo Yahoo” in Nigeria, is illegal under the country’s cybercrime laws, and law enforcement agencies have continued to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in online financial scams.

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The actor’s comments have renewed discussions about the relationship between economic hardship, unemployment, rising living costs and the growth of cybercrime, with analysts often warning that financial pressure cannot justify criminal activity while acknowledging the need for stronger economic opportunities for young Nigerians.