EFCC-NFIU partnership wins global anti-corruption award

Nigeria has received global recognition for its efforts to combat financial crimes, with the collaboration between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) winning the prestigious UNODC–World Bank–Egmont Group Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) Initiative Award.

The award was presented during the 32nd Egmont Group Plenary of Heads of Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs), held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from July 5 to 10, 2026.

Recognised as one of the highest operational honours in the global financial intelligence community, the StAR Initiative Award celebrates exceptional cases in which the effective exchange and analysis of financial intelligence have strengthened investigations, disrupted illicit financial networks, and contributed significantly to asset recovery and the pursuit of justice.

According to the Egmont Group, the award is reserved for outstanding cases that demonstrate innovation, international cooperation, operational excellence and measurable impact in the fight against financial crime.

The organisation noted that the successful EFCC-NFIU collaboration has become a global model for intelligence-led law enforcement, showcasing how secure and timely information sharing between domestic institutions and international partners can lead to the recovery of stolen assets.

It added that the winning case highlighted the critical role of the NFIU’s financial intelligence in supporting and strengthening EFCC investigations, ultimately resulting in a landmark recovery of illicitly acquired assets.

The Egmont Group Plenary is the organisation’s highest decision-making forum, bringing together heads of Financial Intelligence Units from across the world to deliberate on strategic priorities, strengthen cooperation and exchange operational expertise.

This year’s plenary featured discussions on enhancing public-private partnerships to address the increasingly sophisticated nature of financial crime and improve collaboration between Financial Intelligence Units and key stakeholders.

The Egmont Group comprises 180 Financial Intelligence Units worldwide and is committed to strengthening international cooperation through the secure exchange of financial intelligence. The network supports national and global efforts to detect, prevent and disrupt money laundering, terrorist financing and other forms of financial crime.