The Role of Digital Forensics in Investigating Cybercrime Among University Students in Ogun State

The proliferation of internet-enabled devices has accelerated cybercrime activities among young Nigerians, particularly within university communities. This study examines the application of digital forensic techniques in investigating cybercrime cases involving students in three universities in Ogun State between 2020 and 2024. Adopting a descriptive survey approach, the research collected data through structured questionnaires administered to 120 students, interviews with six cybercrime investigators from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibadan office, and analysis of fifteen documented case files. The study focuses on the types of cybercrimes encountered, the digital evidence recovery methods employed, and the investigative challenges faced by law enforcement. Findings indicate that social media fraud and business email compromise represent the most prevalent offences, accounting for sixty-two percent of reported cases. Investigators reported limitations in accessing encrypted devices and extracting data from popular messaging applications without vendor cooperation. The study also identifies a knowledge gap among university students regarding the legal consequences of cybercrime participation. Recommendations include enhanced digital literacy programmes within South West universities and the formalisation of cooperation protocols between telecommunications companies and Nigerian law enforcement. This research contributes to the empirical literature on cybercrime forensics in the Nigerian academic context. Keywords: digital forensics, cybercrime, university students, Ogun State, EFCC.