Nigeria and the United States of America have agreed to intensify crackdown on internet fraudsters and money launderers.

Both governments made this known on Monday in a joint statement on the 2024 U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission after the sixth U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission held in Abuja on April 29 and 30, 2024.

The statement said Nigeria identified several efforts and capabilities for combating cybercrime, presenting many avenues for bilateral cooperation. The U.S. “commended Nigeria for acceding to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime in 2023 and Nigeria’s collaboration in several fora on cybercrime.”

With both countries pledging to work together on combating cybercriminals who target citizens of both countries, the U.S. announced the upcoming deployment of an INL-funded cybercrime adviser in Nigeria to facilitate “that cooperation and provide training, equipment, and technical assistance to build Nigeria’s capacity for cybercrime, including fraud scams and sextortion.”

According to the statement, both nations understand the need to reinforce efforts to combat cyber-enabled money laundering and fraud and to use technology and international cooperation mechanisms such as extradition and mutual legal assistance more effectively.

The U.S. and Nigeria renewed their commitments to promoting democracy and respect for human rights, cooperating for shared economic prosperity, and jointly overcoming health and security challenges, said the statement.

This year’s Binational Commission built on the strong foundation agreed during the January 23, 2024, meeting between President Bola Tinubu and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken in Abuja, as well as the momentum from the last BNC held in Washington, D.C., in February 2020.

The Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, led the Nigerian Interministerial delegation, while the Deputy Secretary of State, Kurt Campbell, and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Molly Phee, led the U.S. delegation of federal departments and agencies.