Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has entered into a strategic partnership with the French government to enhance its capabilities in asset tracking, cybercrime investigations, and security training. The agreement was sealed during a meeting between Lieutenant General Régis Colombet, Director of Security and Defence Cooperation at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and EFCC’s Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on March 4, 2025.
Lieutenant General Colombet emphasized the urgency of tackling financial crimes that transcend borders. “Since crime knows no borders, international collaboration is essential,” he stated. Colombet highlighted France’s expertise in security training, referencing the Cyber School in Dakar, Senegal, and an academy in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, which focus on cyber investigations and counterterrorism. He also disclosed that France’s collaboration extends to cybersecurity, home affairs, and civil defense in Nigeria.
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In response, Olukoyede acknowledged the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and France in combating financial crimes. He cited a recent EFCC operation that dismantled an international syndicate with ties to Europe and Asia. “If we work together, we can significantly reduce the chances of these criminals finding safe havens anywhere in the world,” he said.
Olukoyede emphasized the importance of France’s support in capacity building, noting that while European agencies have swift access to digital records, Nigerian investigators often rely on extensive fieldwork.
