The European Union (EU) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its partnership with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), with a focus on anti-corruption, cybercrime, training, and financial crime investigation and prosecution.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, made the pledge on Tuesday while leading a delegation on a courtesy visit to the EFCC’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking on the strategic importance of the partnership, Mignot said the EFCC’s role was central to both Nigeria’s stability and the EU’s ability to reassure potential investors that the country offers a compliant business environment backed by strong institutions.
He noted that the EU-EFCC relationship dates back to the Commission’s establishment and has been sustained over the years, particularly through the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme. He pledged continued EU support to strengthen the EFCC’s institutional capacity and improve its investigative and prosecutorial effectiveness.
On cybercrime, Mignot said the EU had ongoing initiatives to support Nigeria’s response efforts, noting that the bloc had proposed training for EFCC personnel through a planned Cybercrime Response Centre, with details of the programme still being finalised. He added that the EU was also expanding support for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) compliance, while commending the EFCC’s progress against corruption and cybercrime.
The ambassador described the visit as coming at an opportune moment in EU-Nigeria relations, noting that the EU and its member states remain among Nigeria’s major trading, investment, and cooperation partners. He said the EU was keen to deepen ties with Africa by mobilising European companies to partner with Nigerian businesses in manufacturing, agriculture, and other sectors, adding that governance remained a core priority underpinning investment.
Mignot said European companies pay close attention to the business environment and compliance standards, making the EFCC’s role critical to attracting and sustaining investor confidence.
Responding, EFCC Executive Chairman Ola Olukoyede described the Commission as Nigeria’s foremost anti-corruption agency, responsible for coordinating the investigation and prosecution of financial crimes nationwide.
Olukoyede said the EFCC had made steady progress in tackling economic and financial crimes, citing recent gains against cybercrime and terrorism financing, including Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.
He recalled telling lawmakers during his confirmation hearing that he intended to use the anti-corruption fight to stimulate the economy and attract investment, stressing that the Commission’s mandate goes beyond enforcement to fostering an environment where legitimate businesses can thrive.
On the proposed Cybercrime Response Centre, Olukoyede said it would operate around the clock once fully functional, with the capacity for real-time reporting, intelligence gathering, and rapid response to petitions and information.
He assured the EU and its member states of the Commission’s commitment to protecting investors and safeguarding the business environment from financial and economic crime threats.
