NFIU Commends Inter-Agency Collaboration Following Nigeria’s Exit from FATF Grey List
By; Queen Abayomi – Abuja
The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has commended the collective efforts of government institutions, the private sector and civil society following Nigeria’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List and the planned removal of the country from the European Union’s list of high-risk third countries.
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In a statement issued in Abuja, the NFIU said the decisions by the FATF and the European Union validate the wide-ranging anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing and counter-proliferation financing (AML/CFT/CPF) reforms implemented by Nigeria since 2023.
Nigeria was removed from the FATF Grey List in October 2025, while the European Union is expected to delist the country from its high-risk third country list at the end of January 2026.
The NFIU noted that while it played a leading role in coordinating Nigeria’s compliance with international standards, the achievements were the result of a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.
Commenting on the development, the Chief Executive Officer of the NFIU, Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, described the decisions as confirmation of the credibility and sustainability of Nigeria’s reforms.
She said Nigeria’s exit from the FATF Grey List and the EU list reflects the effectiveness of sustained and coordinated reforms, and demonstrates the country’s commitment to global standards on anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing and counter-proliferation financing.
Ms. Bakari acknowledged the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the strategic oversight provided by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on AML/CFT/CPF, chaired by the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
She also highlighted the contributions of key ministries, security agencies, financial sector regulators and law enforcement bodies, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services.
According to the NFIU, progress was also recorded in corporate transparency, border controls, prosecution of financial crimes and supervision of the non-profit and private sectors.
The Judiciary and the National Assembly were commended for providing timely adjudication and legislative support that strengthened Nigeria’s legal and institutional framework for combating illicit finance.
The NFIU said it remains committed to deepening cooperation, strengthening intelligence-led supervision and sustaining reforms as Nigeria prepares for its next AML/CFT/CPF Mutual Evaluation.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, JANUARY 19TH 2026)
