By Chimezie Godfrey
The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has attributed Nigeria’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List and the impending delisting by the European Union to sustained inter-agency cooperation and comprehensive financial reforms undertaken over the last two years.
The country was officially removed from the FATF Grey List in October 2025, while the European Union has indicated that Nigeria will be taken off its list of high-risk third countries by the end of January 2026.
In a statement released in Abuja, the NFIU said the decisions by global anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing bodies validated reforms initiated since 2023 to strengthen Nigeria’s AML/CFT/CPF framework.
The agency noted that although the NFIU coordinated compliance efforts, the success recorded reflected a broad national consensus involving government institutions, regulators, security agencies, the private sector and civil society.
As a result, the NFIU expressed appreciation to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the Legislature, the Judiciary, financial institutions, designated non-financial businesses and non-profit organisations for their roles.
Speaking on the development, the Chief Executive Officer of the NFIU, Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, said the FATF and EU decisions demonstrated renewed international confidence in Nigeria’s financial system.
“Nigeria’s exit from the FATF Grey List and the European Union’s high-risk third country list reflects the strength of our collective resolve and the effectiveness of sustained, coordinated reforms. This milestone underscores our commitment to upholding global standards on anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing and counter-proliferation financing, while reinforcing international confidence in Nigeria’s financial system.”
Bakari acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, describing it as central to the success of the reforms.
She also highlighted the role of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on AML/CFT/CPF, led by key economic and justice sector ministers, in ensuring effective oversight and policy alignment.
Newsdairyonline reports that the NFIU further commended the National Security Adviser for strengthening coordination on terrorism-related risks, as well as financial sector regulators for improving risk-based supervision and enforcement.
Law enforcement agencies, border control institutions and the Judiciary were also praised for strengthening investigations, prosecutions and sanctions relating to financial crimes.
Reiterating the significance of the achievement, the NFIU CEO stated:“The successful delisting of Nigeria from the FATF Grey List and the EU AML/CFT list is a clear signal that our reforms are deep, credible and sustainable. It reflects years of disciplined implementation across government, law enforcement, the judiciary and the private sector.”
She added that the gains recorded must be consolidated through continued cooperation and compliance.
“This achievement belongs to Nigeria and its partners. The NFIU remains steadfast in its resolve to deepen cooperation, enhance intelligence-led supervision and ensure that Nigeria continues to meet and exceed global AML/CFT/CPF expectations.”
The NFIU said Nigeria is already preparing for its next Mutual Evaluation, with a renewed focus on vigilance and innovation.