By Atoyebi Nike
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening its collaboration with Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to combat corruption, cybercrime, illicit financial flows, and other organized crimes.
UNODC Country Representative, Mr. Cheick Ousman Toure, made this known during a courtesy visit to EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, in Abuja on Tuesday. He said the UN agency has adopted a new five-year strategic partnership model for Nigeria, moving away from ad-hoc interventions.
“UNODC is shifting toward long-term collaboration, and Nigeria remains a key player, especially in implementing international frameworks like UNCAC and UNTOC,” Toure stated. He stressed the urgency of sustainable, region-led solutions amid global funding cuts and emphasized Nigeria’s leadership role in tackling illicit financial flows.
He also highlighted cybercrime, illegal mining, and the need for stronger state-level enforcement as pressing areas. “Nigeria’s alignment with the Budapest Convention places it in a unique position, and we’re ready to help close operational gaps and enhance intelligence sharing,” Toure said.
In response, EFCC Chairman Olukoyede welcomed the renewed partnership and called for broader cooperation to match evolving crime patterns. “It’s time to strengthen our collaboration, especially on transnational crime. We must reduce dependence on foreign aid by developing domestic funding mechanisms,” he said.
Olukoyede also identified illegal mining as a major concern linked to money laundering and reaffirmed EFCC’s leadership in the West African anti-corruption network (NACIWA). He urged UNODC to help establish secure intelligence-sharing platforms across the region.
