How is Nigeria’s anti-fraud unit doing? Case study asks detectives how they manage with few funds

The prevalence of fraud in both the public and private sectors in Nigeria has been widely acknowledged.

Fraud includes obtaining money by false pretence, and diversion of money into unauthorised private use.

But things are changing too.

For instance, digital-payment fraud losses fell by 51% , from N52.26 billion (about US$38 million) in 2024 to N25.85 billion (US$19 million) in 2025.

Former president Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration established the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission in 2000 to investigate and prosecute corruption.

Its twin agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, was established in 2002 .

Both have done well in investigating high-profile fraud cases and recovering stolen assets.

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps was established in 2003 with a mandate to protect lives, properties and critical national assets.

Its anti-fraud unit was inaugurated in 2007 .

It focuses on cases such as “obtaining by false pretence” and “visa racketeering”, which are often overlooked by larger agencies that deal with high-profile cases.

As criminologists we’ve observed that little is known about this corps’ unique role.

In a recent study , we examined some examples of its work to establish how well it met its mandate.

We discovered that the corps could have performed better with more resources to investigate fraud and better cooperation from sister agencies.

Increased funding would help it to achieve its mandate of fighting crime and fraud.