Cybercrime and consumer protection among undergraduates of the federal universities in southwest, Nigeria

Cybercrime has emerged as a major challenge to digital security and consumer protection globally, with young people increasingly at risk due to their reliance on digital technologies. This study was therefore conducted to investigate cybercrime and consumer protection among undergraduates of federal universities in Southwest Nigeria. The specific objectives were to examine the effect of consumer protection on cybercrime. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design. The population comprised undergraduates of six federal universities in Southwest Nigeria, with a sample size of 653 respondents selected through multistage sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics, and multiple linear regression with dummy variables as controls. Regression analysis showed consumer protection had a significant effect on cybercrime experiences (R² = 0.178, F = 28.018, p < 0.001). Demographic controls such as gender, age, and level of study showed mixed but relatively weaker effects. The study concluded that although undergraduates are aware of cybercrime and consumer protection, mechanisms remain inadequate and ineffective, thereby exposing students to cyber risks. It was recommended, among others, that government agencies, regulatory bodies, and universities should strengthen enforcement mechanisms, promote digital literacy programmes, and implement more proactive consumer protection strategies to mitigate cybercrime among students.