The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen cooperation in the fight against cybercrime and other transnational financial crimes.
The agreement was signed on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.
Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Leilani Bin-Juda, praised EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede and his officers for their close working relationship with the AFP 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 both countries had maintained cooperation through the exchange of technology, intelligence and professional advice, which she said had strengthened ties between them.
Describing cybercrime as a global concern that demands joint efforts, Bin-Juda commended Nigeria’s role in confronting the threat 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.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Sandra Booth called the agreement an important step in strengthening collaboration between the two agencies.
She revealed that the EFCC-AFP partnership dates back to 2004 and has produced results in sensitive investigations, cyber-enabled crimes, business email compromise, 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 MoU would provide a framework for sustained cooperation, mutual support and exchange of expertise. She described the signing as the beginning of a new phase that would shape the direction of future collaboration.
Olukoyede thanked the Australian Government and the AFP for sustaining the partnership, adding that the EFCC remained open to international collaboration, especially in the investigation and prosecution of financial crimes, given their growing transnational nature.
“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.
He said the interconnected nature of criminal networks makes cooperation among law enforcement agencies across jurisdictions necessary.
“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.
According to Olukoyede, the MoU will formalise the longstanding relationship between the two agencies and provide a more structured framework for tackling financial and cyber-enabled crimes.
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