WorldStage— The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Australian Federal Police, AFP, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, to strengthen collaboration in tackling cybercrime and other transnational financial crimes.
The agreement was signed on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at the EFCC Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Leilani Bin-Juda, commended the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, and officers of the Commission for the cordial relationship and cooperation with the Australian Federal Police over the years.
“Chairman, I want to say a big thank you to you, your leadership, your agency and your amazing officers who have worked closely with the Australian Federal Police,” she said.
She noted that Nigeria and Australia have sustained cooperation on several issues, through exchange of technology, intelligence and professional advice, adding that the partnership had contributed positively to the bilateral relationship between both countries.
According to her, cybercrime remains a global concern requiring concerted efforts, noting that Nigeria plays a significant leadership role in the region.
“This is an area of interest and importance, not only to Australia and Nigeria but also globally. Cyber matters are affecting many countries, and Nigeria is one of those leading countries in the region. Other African countries look to Nigeria for leadership in this aspect. I commend you for your efforts,” she said.
Also speaking, the Assistant Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, Sandra Booth, described the MoU as an important step towards deepening the existing relationship between both institutions.
She disclosed that the partnership between the EFCC and AFP dated back to 2004 and had produced significant results in several areas, including sensitive investigations, cyber-enabled crimes, business email compromise investigations, financial investigations and scams.
“We are very grateful for this relationship that we have with you. I look forward to the new MoU providing new opportunities for us to work together, open new horizons, strengthen our relationship and promote professional development between our organisations,” she said.
Booth expressed confidence that the agreement would provide a clearer framework for sustained cooperation, mutual support and the continued exchange of expertise between the two agencies.
“We are very excited about today. It takes us to what we believe is the next step in our relationship. Relationships go through evolution, and I am very proud to be able to sign this document with you, Chairman, which articulates what the future looks like,” she said.
In his remarks, EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, thanked the Australian Government and the Australian Federal Police for finding Nigeria and the Commission worthy of the partnership.
He said the Commission had always remained open to international collaboration, particularly in the investigation and prosecution of financial crimes, given the increasingly transnational nature of economic and financial crimes.
“We have discovered that financial crimes take a transnational dimension. What affects Nigeria inevitably affects Australia. That is why countries have to come together because criminals always work together,” he said.
Olukoyede stressed that the interconnected nature of criminal networks made cooperation among law enforcement agencies across jurisdictions imperative.
“There is a network of criminals, and for us to fight this network, we must also network as countries that are serious about the fight against such crimes. That is why we are always open to this kind of collaboration,” he said.
He explained that the MoU was intended to formalise the longstanding relationship between the two agencies and establish a framework for more structured cooperation.
According to him, the framework would cover training and manpower development, mutual support, as well as the exchange of information and intelligence, subject to the domestic laws of both countries.
“We are always willing to do that. It is a bilateral relationship that benefits both countries, irrespective of where the perpetrators are,” he said.
The ceremony also featured the presentation of awards by the Australian Federal Police to four outstanding officers of the Commission in recognition of their exceptional investigative skills, professionalism and dedication demonstrated during a complex and lengthy investigation.
The award recipients were Assistant Commander of the EFCC II, Abba Sambo Usman; Assistant Commander of the EFCC II, Olufemi Olukinni; Assistant Commander of the EFCC II, Omewa Pius Nnaemeka; and Inspector of the EFCC I, Owolabi Jude Oyarekhua.
