NFIU Welcomes EU Delisting Of Nigeria From High-Risk Money Laundering Jurisdictions

…Says Removal Set To Improve Trade, Financial Flows

The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has cheered the European Union’s intention to remove Nigeria from its list of high-risk third-country jurisdictions for money laundering and terrorism financing, describing the move as a major boost to the country’s trade, investment and cross-border financial activities.

The delisting, which takes effect from January 29, 2026, follows Nigeria’s earlier exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list after implementing wide-ranging reforms to strengthen its anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing and counter-proliferation financing (AML/CFT/CPF) framework.

The EU decision was formalised through a European Commission Delegated Regulation adopted on December 4, 2025.

Reacting to the development, the Chief Executive Officer of the NFIU, Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, said the EU’s action represents a significant external validation of Nigeria’s sustained reform efforts in tackling financial crimes.

According to her, Nigeria’s removal from the EU high-risk list means that financial transactions between Nigeria and European Union member states will no longer be subject to the enhanced due diligence requirements applied to jurisdictions considered high risk.

She noted that this is expected to reduce compliance burdens, facilitate smoother cross-border financial flows and enhance Nigeria’s attractiveness as a destination for trade, investment and financial partnerships.

“This decision represents an important external validation of Nigeria’s steady progress in strengthening its AML/CFT/CPF framework,” Bakari said. “It demonstrates that consistent reforms, effective coordination and strong national ownership can translate into tangible international outcomes.”

She added that beyond the immediate economic benefits, the delisting strengthens international confidence in Nigeria’s financial system and reinforces the country’s standing as a cooperative and responsible participant in the global financial architecture.

The NFIU chief also attributed the development to the political will and leadership of President Bola Tinubu, as well as the collaborative efforts of key stakeholders, including the National Assembly, law enforcement agencies, regulators, supervisors, the judiciary, the private sector and development partners.

Nigeria was officially removed from the FATF grey list in October 2025 after meeting all the required action points aimed at addressing deficiencies in its AML/CFT regime.

The EU delisting extends the impact of that milestone by aligning the bloc’s risk assessment with FATF’s findings.

Bakari said the NFIU would continue to play a coordinating role in national AML/CFT/CPF efforts, including strengthening the use of financial intelligence and supporting investigative and prosecutorial authorities across the country.

While welcoming the progress, she cautioned against complacency, stressing that the gains achieved must be sustained.

“This outcome also places a clear responsibility on all stakeholders to maintain momentum, guard against complacency and continue strengthening our systems in response to evolving financial crime risks,” she said.

The NFIU reaffirmed its commitment to continuous engagement with the FATF, the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), the European Union and other international partners to ensure ongoing compliance and deepen the resilience of Nigeria’s AML/CFT/CPF framework.

NFIU Welcomes EU Delisting Of Nigeria From High-Risk Money Laundering Jurisdictions is first published on The Whistler Newspaper