A disturbing trend is spreading across parts of Ekiti State, where an increasing number of secondary school and tertiary students are dropping out of class to chase quick money through internet fraud.The lure is simple: fast cars, designer clothes, and overnight wealth from online scams.
For many young people, the classroom now feels slow compared to the lifestyle they see on TikTok, Instagram and WhatsApp status updates. Some reportedly leave school entirely, while others attend only occasionally.At the same time, a new group of mothers has emerged and gone viral for celebrating the proceeds. Dubbed the ‘Iya Omo Ologo Association’ — loosely, “Mothers of Children With Money” — members are seen flaunting gifts, cash, and expensive outings allegedly funded by their children’s online activities.
The development has sparked concern among teachers, parents, and community leaders. Many worry that the glorification of fraud money is normalizing crime and eroding the value of education. Schools report falling attendance and a shift in career ambitions, with more students talking about “yahoo” than WAEC, JAMB, or university.
Education stakeholders are now calling for urgent intervention. They want government, schools, parents, and religious bodies to launch sensitization campaigns, mentorship programs, and economic alternatives that make staying in school worthwhile again. For now, the tug-of-war continues in Ekiti: between textbooks and laptops, between classrooms and keyboards.
