Canada honours EFCC Chairman for role in global crime fight
The Canadian High Commission in Nigeria has honoured the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, for his exceptional contributions to the global fight against transnational crime. Olukoyede received a Certificate of Recognition on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, during a ceremony held at the Canadian High Commission in Abuja.
Presenting the award, Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency Pasquale Salvaggio, praised Olukoyede’s leadership and the EFCC’s key role in curbing cross-border criminal activities, including financial fraud, vehicle trafficking, online exploitation, and drug smuggling. He highlighted the EFCC’s collaborative efforts with Canadian authorities in promoting global security.
“Your tireless efforts in combating transnational crime have been instrumental in strengthening security and justice across our borders,” Salvaggio said. He acknowledged that since the establishment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) liaison office in Nigeria in 2021, partnerships with Nigerian agencies have grown through intelligence sharing, joint operations, and capacity building.
Salvaggio noted the tangible successes of this collaboration, citing the recovery of stolen assets and the dismantling of criminal syndicates. He emphasized that such results have set benchmarks for international anti-fraud initiatives and have significantly contributed to financial restitution and global law enforcement cooperation.
One notable achievement mentioned was “Operation Hot Wheels,” a joint operation led by the EFCC with support from the Nigeria Customs Service. The operation successfully disrupted a major vehicle trafficking network, reinforcing the bilateral security relationship between Canada and Nigeria.
In his acceptance remarks, Olukoyede expressed gratitude to the Canadian government for the recognition. He reaffirmed the EFCC’s dedication to international cooperation, noting that global criminal networks can only be countered through equally strategic global partnerships.
“The kind of crime we fight today is global in nature,” Olukoyede said. “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.”
Also honoured at the event were the Nigeria Customs Service, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and Interpol Nigeria. Representatives from each agency, including Customs Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and Assistant Inspector General of Police Olaolu Adegbite, received awards for their respective roles in advancing international crime-fighting efforts.
