By Nkechi Eze
The Canadian High Commission in Nigeria on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 honoured the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, with a Certificate of Recognition for his outstanding contributions to the global fight against transnational crime including economic and financial crimes, vehicle trafficking, online exploitation and drug smuggling.
According to Dele Oyewale the commission’s spokesperson, the Certificate was presented by the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency Pasquale Salvaggio, during a ceremony at the Canadian High Commission in Abuja.
Salvaggio commended Olukoyede’s leadership and the EFCC’s pivotal role in curbing organised criminal networks operating across borders.
“Your tireless efforts in combating transnational crime, financial fraud, vehicle trafficking, online exploitation and drug smuggling have been instrumental in strengthening security and justice across our borders” he said. “Since the establishment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), liaison office in Nigeria in 2021, our partnership with Nigerian law enforcement agencies has grown through vital intelligence exchanges, operational support, joint investigations and capacity building initiatives.”
He noted that the RCMP’s presence in Nigeria has facilitated stronger collaboration, resulting in tangible outcomes such as asset recovery, financial restitution and dismantling of cross-border criminal syndicates.
“The RCMP’s partnership with the EFCC has led to the recovery and handover of stolen assets and financial institutions, setting a benchmark for international anti-fraud operations,” he said.
Salvaggio particularly cited “Operation Hot Wheels”, a joint operation spearheaded by the EFCC with the participation of the Nigeria Customs Service, as a prime example of the collaborative success between both countries. The operation disrupted a major vehicle trafficking network and reinforced bilateral security ties.
“These collective efforts underscore a simple truth: crime knows no borders, and neither should our pursuit for justice. Canada deeply values its law enforcement partnerships with Nigeria and looks forward to deepening these collaborations to enhance global security, protect victims, and dismantle criminal enterprises that threaten our economies and communities”, he said.
In his remarks after receiving the certificate, Olukoyede expressed gratitude for the recognition and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to international cooperation.
“I’d like to sincerely thank Your Excellency and truly appreciate this honour,” Olukoyede said. Continuing, he stressed that, “it is one thing to do something; it is another thing for it to be recognised. This engagement is a testimony to the collaboration between Nigeria and Canada, between the EFCC and RCMP, over the years.”
Olukoyede acknowledged the global nature of organised crime, stressing that the only way to effectively counter it is through equally strategic international alliances.
“The kind of crime we fight today has become global in nature. You’ll be shocked at how sophisticated these criminal enterprises are. It therefore requires countries to also form their own syndicates in order to nip it in the bud,” he said
He pledged the EFCC’s readiness to take the partnership with Canada and the RCMP to greater heights. “We are open to more mutually beneficial relationships between our countries. We believe that by the time we take this collaboration to the next level, we will see even more remarkable results,” he said.
Other Nigerian law enforcement agencies honoured at the event include the Nigeria Customs Service, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Nigerian Police’s Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB) Abuja.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, received the award on behalf of the Nigeria Customs Service, while the Secretary of the NDLEA, Haruna Shadrack, received the certificate on behalf of the NDLEA Chairman. Assistant Inspector General of Police, Olaolu Adegbite, received the award on behalf of Interpol Nigeria.
