The United States and Nigeria are expanding cooperation to combat sextortion, romance scams and other forms of transnational cybercrime, according to the U.S. Mission in Nigeria.
The announcement followed a visit to Abuja by Michael Gonzales, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.
During meetings with officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Office of the National Security Adviser, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Nigeria Police Force, Gonzales discussed ways to strengthen joint efforts against cyber-enabled crimes that affect victims in both countries.
The visit coincided with Nigeria’s Cybercrime Awareness Week and comes as both countries continue to increase cooperation in cybercrime investigations and extradition cases.
According to the U.S. Mission, Nigeria extradited two alleged cybercrime suspects to the United States in August.
The individuals face charges in separate financially motivated sextortion cases involving American minors who died by suicide.
The U.S. said cooperation between the FBI Legal Attaché Office in Abuja and the EFCC has resulted in work on 41 extradition cases since 2022, including five completed in 2026.
The Mission said this represents a significant increase compared with the period from 2012 to 2021, when the two countries recorded four arrests and five extraditions.
Gonzales praised the support provided by the EFCC, the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation in U.S. investigations and extradition proceedings.
He said effective cooperation between law enforcement agencies can help ensure that international borders do not shield cybercrime suspects from prosecution.
Officials also highlighted concerns over financially motivated sextortion, which targets young people through online platforms.
The U.S. Mission said the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received more than 50,000 reports of financially motivated sextortion in 2025.
The Mission said the United States and Nigeria are also focusing on romance scams and other online fraud schemes.
Authorities from both countries are seeking stronger information sharing, faster use of cyber and financial intelligence in investigations, broader public awareness campaigns, and continued development of Nigeria’s cybercrime investigation and prosecution capabilities.
According to the U.S. Mission, future cooperation will focus on protecting victims, disrupting criminal networks and strengthening the capacity of law enforcement institutions in both countries.
He added that the impact of TETFund interventions should be measured by the integrity of their management and the improvements they bring to educational infrastructure, research and learning.
