A modern information and communication technology (ICT) data centre will be commissioned at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Headquarters in Abuja on August 12, 2008. The infrastructure will boost administration and operations at the anti-graft agency.

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The Data Centre was designed and built by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) with the financial assistance from the European Union (EU). The Data Centre is a component of the €24.7 million EU-funded Project - Support to Law Enforcement against Economic and Financial Crimes , which is implemented by the UNODC.

In addition to the Data Centre at the EFCC headquarters, two others will be established, one at the EFCC Office in Ikoyi, Lagos and the other at the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) in Abuja. The Data Centre will, among other benefits, provide interconnectivity for EFCC offices across the country, boost efficiency and improved services, enhance transparency and empowerment through unlimited access to data, critical information and knowledge of EFCC's operations.

The centre has an uninterrupted service availability, secure internet access and high performance communications infrastructure, application hosting and content distribution. Other features include file storage and back up, databases and applications systems to enhance anti-money laundering activities, investigations and the management of the EFCC and NFIU.

Expected at the event, which starts by 9.30 am, are European Commission Delegation officials in Nigeria, EU Ambassadors in Nigeria, UNODC top officials, EFCC Chairman, Mrs. Farida Waziri, the Commission’s Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Akomaye and other top officials.