The United Kingdom and Nigeria have agreed to deepen cooperation in the fight against fraud, amid growing concerns over financial losses and increasingly sophisticated scams targeting UK citizens, many of which have an international dimension.
A new joint fraud action plan was signed in Abuja on Wednesday by the UK’s Minister for Fraud, Lord Hanson, Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, and Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. The agreement formalises a commitment to enhanced collaboration between the two nations.
A statement issued by Onyinye Madu of the British High Commission Communications Office said the partnership aims to improve the early detection of fraud threats, ensure faster law enforcement intervention, and disrupt cross-border criminal networks before they can cause significant harm. It will also focus on strengthening systems to prevent individuals from becoming victims of fraud in the first place.
Key elements of the joint action plan include:
- Enhanced Information Sharing and Operational Coordination: This includes the potential for joint law enforcement operations involving the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) and Nigeria’s Office of the National Security Adviser.
- Strengthening National Fraud Strategies: Both countries will exchange best practices and lessons learned in developing and implementing national fraud strategies, with the possibility of joint public awareness campaigns.
- Collaboration Between Regulatory Bodies: The plan explores cooperation between financial, online, and telecoms regulators and industry bodies in both countries to identify and close loopholes exploited by criminals.
- Joint Analysis of Financial Misuse: Insights on the misuse of financial systems will be shared, with potential joint studies and research into emerging threats.
- Capacity Building and Training: The UK’s Serious Fraud Office will initially provide targeted training for Nigerian prosecutors, with further programmes planned subject to funding.
The agreement underscores the increasing recognition that fraud is a transnational issue, with the UK estimating that 70% of fraud cases have an international element. This partnership forms part of a broader effort by the UK to build a unified international response to fraud, which continues to harm individuals, undermine economies, and pose a threat to national security.
Lord Hanson, who has been in Abuja this week for meetings with Nigerian counterparts, emphasised the devastating impact of fraud on victims. “Fraud ruins lives. It strips people of their savings, their confidence, and their sense of security. The fact so many of these crimes now originate overseas makes our international partnerships more important than ever,” he said.
Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, stressed the need for greater seriousness and deeper collaboration in confronting crime, including addressing enablers, supporting victims, and pursuing perpetrators.
Nick Sharp, Deputy Director of Fraud at the NCA, highlighted the shared commitment to tackling a threat that causes significant harm to citizens of both nations. “By sharing vital intelligence, conducting joint operations, and working to identify and address vulnerabilities, we will strengthen our collective response – ensuring that criminals are brought to justice, wherever they are,” he said.
The UK-Nigeria Fraud Dialogue, launched in November 2024, will serve as a forum for regular exchanges and to review progress under this new Memorandum of Understanding, which was signed by Lord Hanson, Lateef Fagbemi, and Nuhu Ribadu. The partnership is seen as a crucial step in bolstering the resilience of both nations against the growing threat of fraud.
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