Speculation abounds regarding the FBI Director’s visit, suggesting that Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the EFCC, and the FBI might join forces to address the notorious “Nigerian princes” scam.
Cybersecurity remains a crucial digital challenge for African nations. In 2020, Africa had the highest rate of exposure to cyberattacks per country.
Only seven African nations—Mauritius, Egypt, Tanzania, Ghana, Tunisia, Nigeria, and Morocco—rank among the top 50 in cybersecurity. Kenya trails closely, at 51st place.
Rising Cybercrime
Despite these efforts, cybercrime continues to escalate. Nigeria ranks 5th globally in cybercrime activities, with Russia leading the list.
From June 12–14, FBI Director Christopher Wray visited Kenya and Nigeria, meeting with top law enforcement and security officials.
The visit aimed to strengthen the FBI’s partnerships in the region and to underscore collaborative initiatives to tackle various threats.
High-Level Meetings in Abuja
While in Abuja, Director Wray met with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Security Advisor Nuhu Ribadu, and senior officials from the EFCC.
Their discussions focused on the FBI’s cooperation with Nigeria in fighting terrorism, violent crime, and cybercrime.
They considered ways the FBI could provide additional training and resources to enhance the EFCC’s capabilities in investigating cyber threats.
Commitment to Collaboration
During a meeting at the State House in Abuja, President Tinubu stated, “We cannot successfully combat crime without collaboration.”
He further noted that as Chairman of ECOWAS, Nigeria collaborates with other West African countries to combat economic and related crimes.
Historical Milestone
The specifics of the collaboration remain unclear, and it is uncertain if “cybersecurity” was the primary reason for Wray’s visit.
However, the ongoing partnership between the agencies is evident. In 2018, EFCC and FBI agents met in Abuja and praised their cooperative efforts.
This visit marks the first time an FBI director has traveled to Nigeria, highlighting the significance of the “cybersecurity” discussions between the agencies.