The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is upgrading its digital security systems, access controls and incident-response capabilities to counter increasingly sophisticated cyber-enabled financial crimes.
EFCC Chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede, represented by Nwanyinma Okeanu, Deputy Director, Public Affairs Department, disclosed this at the second edition of the International Cybersecurity Conference (ICSC) 2026 in Abuja on Tuesday.
The two-day conference is themed “Cyber Resilience in the Age of AI: Defending Minds, Networks and Nations”.
Olukoyede said criminals were increasingly exploiting digital technologies to target thousands of victims, move funds across borders and conceal illicit activities.
“For us in law enforcement, the message is clear: as crime evolves, our response must evolve with it,” he said.
He said the commission had embarked on a digital transformation programme to reduce manual processes, improve access to information, automate workflows and enhance operational efficiency.
According to him, the initiative has produced several digital platforms to support the commission’s operations, including the e-Petition Platform, Enterprise Case Management System (ECMS), Fraud Risk Assessment and Management System, and Asset Management System.
“Every new system and digital service creates opportunities, but it also introduces risks,” he said.
The EFCC chairman said the commission was strengthening network and information security, improving security monitoring and access controls, and enhancing incident-response mechanisms.
Also speaking, Senator Momo Cyprus, representing Lofa County and Chairman of the Defence, Intelligence and Security Committee of the Liberian Senate, called for the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) to protect citizens, institutions and national security.
Cyprus said AI offered significant opportunities to improve public services, expand access to education, accelerate research and empower African innovators.
However, he warned that the technology could also be exploited to spread disinformation, facilitate fraud and undermine public confidence in political institutions.
“Our task is not to fear technological progress, but to ensure that it serves humanity responsibly,” he said.
Citing the 2026 African Cyber Threat Assessment Report by the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL), Cyprus said the growing sophistication of cybercrime and the increasing use of AI by criminals underscored the need for stronger public awareness and digital literacy.
He called for greater emphasis on critical thinking, responsible communication and public education to help citizens identify and avoid online deception.
“We must encourage every citizen to pause, verify and act carefully before sharing information or responding to suspicious requests,” he said.
On network security, Cyprus noted that governments, banks, hospitals, communication systems and energy infrastructure increasingly depended on secure digital networks to function effectively.
He said Liberia had taken steps to strengthen its cybersecurity framework through the Cybercrime Act of 2025 and the National Cybersecurity Strategy for 2025–2029, with emphasis on effective implementation.
The conference brought together policymakers, cybersecurity professionals, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening digital resilience amid the growing threats associated with AI.
