From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has reiterated its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in combating corruption, cybercrime, illicit financial flows, and other forms of organised crime.
This assurance was given yesterday, July 29, 2025, when the UNODC Country Representative, Cheick Ousman Toure, led a delegation on a visit to the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, at the commission’s headquarters, Abuja.
Toure highlighted Nigeria’s key role in implementing international anti-corruption instruments such as the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC).
He disclosed that the UN agency was adopting a new strategic framework that focused on long-term, country-led interventions. He said,“We have developed a new approach to partnership, moving from ad-hoc engagements to a structured, jointly-developed five-year country programme, now approved by the United Nations as our blueprint for Nigeria”.
He acknowledged global funding constraints, including expected cuts in U.S. foreign aid from October 2025, and underscored the need for locally driven, sustainable solutions.
“Nigeria is at the forefront of the fight against illicit financial flows, which drain billions from Africa. Its leadership must resonate across the region”, he added.
The UNODC representative also noted the importance of addressing cybercrime, illegal mining, and improving enforcement at the state level.
He praised Nigeria’s alignment with the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime and pledged UNODC’s support in bridging operational gaps and enhancing intelligence-sharing systems.
“We see strong potential to collaborate with the EFCC in tackling cybercrime and strengthening community-level enforcement across Nigeria”, Toure said.
EFCC Chairman, Olukoyede welcomed the renewed commitment and affirmed the Commission’s readiness to deepen its partnership with the UN agency.
“Our doors remain open to meaningful collaboration. The EFCC and UNODC share a solid history of partnership, and we are ready to broaden that scope in response to emerging trends in organised crime”, Olukoyede said.
He emphasised the Commission’s efforts to reduce dependence on foreign aid by developing local funding mechanisms for its operations.
“We believe in home-grown solutions. We have already begun implementing domestic funding models to support our work”, he noted.
Olukoyede further called for stronger regional cooperation in tackling transnational organized crimes, especially through intelligence-sharing platforms.
He highlighted EFCC’s leadership role in the Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA) and called on UNODC to support efforts to enhance cross-border collaboration.
He also stressed the connection between illegal mining and money laundering, disclosing that the Commission has commenced actions to curb the menace.
“The transnational nature of the crimes we are combating demands a united regional front. We must work across borders to succeed$, the EFCC Chairman submitted.
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