Abuja, Nigeria – October 2025
The African Center for Governance, Asset Recovery and Sustainable Development has hailed Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, describing it as a landmark achievement that underscores the nation’s commitment to strengthening anti-money laundering (AML), countering the financing of terrorism (CFT), and countering the financing of terrorism (CFT) frameworks. In a statement issued in Abuja, the Center commended the Federal Government, regulatory bodies, and development partners for their sustained collaboration and reform efforts, noting that the delisting represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s pursuit of financial integrity and institutional accountability.
According to the African Center Deputy Project Director, Obialunanma Nnaobi-Ayodele, its technical and institutional support, implemented with funding and collaboration from development partners, has been pivotal in strengthening Nigeria’s AML/CFT compliance systems. These interventions, particularly within the legal sector, have advanced the implementation of the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022, enhanced compliance among Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs), and supported reforms that contributed to Nigeria’s progress under the FATF Action Plan. The African Center commended the Federal Government, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the NBA Anti-Money Laundering Committee (NBA AMLC), and its international partners for their steadfast collaboration, dedication, and shared commitment to reform.
“As Nigeria enters this new phase, we reaffirm our commitment to sustaining the momentum through continued partnership with regulatory and enforcement agencies,” the statement read. “We remain dedicated to advancing transparency, accountability, and the rule of law, core pillars for safeguarding Nigeria’s financial integrity.”
Contributions to Nigeria’s FATF Progress
According to the African Center, its work – supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ)- played a pivotal role in strengthening Nigeria’s AML/CFT compliance systems, particularly within the legal sector and the Federal Ministry of Justice. The Center’s interventions were instrumental in advancing the implementation of the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA), enhancing compliance among Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs), and supporting reforms that contributed to FATF’s decision to delist Nigeria.
Driving Compliance through Innovation and Capacity Building
Over the past two years, the African Center has implemented multiple funded projects directly supporting Nigeria’s AML/CFT/CPF reforms.
In 2024, under the FCDO-supported project titled “Implementation of GFAR Principles in International Asset Recovery and the Nigerian Proceeds of Crime Act, 2022,” the Center led a landmark Legal Sector AML/CFT/PF Risk Assessment in collaboration with the NBA–AMLC. The study exposed critical compliance gaps and informed the design and launch of the NBA–AML Compliance Portal (https://nbaaml.com), a digital tool that automates client due diligence, recordkeeping, and suspicious transaction reporting for law firms.
Similarly, through the project “Tackling Illicit Financial Flows through Asset Recovery, Management, and Strengthening AML/CFT/PF Compliance in Nigeria,” the Center enhanced institutional capacity by organizing a Training-of-Trainers Workshop for 33 NBA branches, equipping legal professionals with hands-on skills in risk assessment and compliance reporting.
The African Center has also conducted a Technical Needs Assessment (TNA) for key anti-corruption and compliance institutions, including the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Federal Ministry of Justice, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The findings from these assessments are guiding the Center’s next phase of capacity-building programs focused on asset tracing, management, recovery, and risk-based supervision.
Strengthening Compliance through GIZ Collaboration
Under the GIZ-funded Fit4ICRG Facility of the “Strengthening Development Finance through Combating Illicit Financial Flows and Effective Debt Management (SFIFD)” programme, the African Center has further reinforced Nigeria’s FATF compliance efforts. Collaborating closely with the NBA–AMLC, the Center supported nationwide training, supervision visits to law firms, and the development of monitoring tools to enhance the legal sector’s AML/CFT enforcement capacity.
In addition, in partnership with the National Judicial Institute (NJI), the African Center is currently undertaking a strategic risk assessment of the judiciary, and with support from MacArthur and CDD, addressing key FATF recommendations on judicial integrity and sectoral risk analysis.
Advocacy, Public Awareness, and Knowledge Sharing
Beyond technical interventions, the African Center has championed extensive advocacy and public sensitization campaigns to promote awareness of Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) obligations within the legal profession and the wider Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) community. Complementing these efforts is the Center’s monthly AML/CFT webinar series, which serves as a continuing professional education platform for lawyers, compliance officers, and regulators across Nigeria. The platform fosters dialogue, knowledge exchange, and sustained learning on emerging issues in AML/CFT/CPF enforcement and risk management.
Reaffirming its commitment to sustaining Nigeria’s post-delisting reforms, the statement noted that:
“Through sustained technical assistance and collaboration with national stakeholders, the African Center has continued to strengthen Nigeria’s institutional capacity for asset recovery and financial integrity. Notably, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Justice (FMOJ), the Center implemented the ‘Development of Asset Recovery and Management Manual and Special Operation Manual for Efficient Recovery of Proceeds of Crime (2024–2025)’ project.”
The initiative supported the Asset Recovery and Management Unit (ARMU/FMOJ) in simplifying domestic and international asset recovery laws, conducting a strategic needs assessment, and developing a practical framework to enhance Nigeria’s recovery and management of stolen assets. The Manuals and Special Operational Procedures (SOPs) developed under the project provide step-by-step guidance for prosecutors, judges, law enforcement officers, Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs), and civil society actors, aligning Nigeria’s asset recovery practice with international best standards.
“This achievement is not an end but a new beginning. Sustaining compliance and deepening institutional capacity will be crucial to ensuring that Nigeria remains a model for financial integrity and governance in Africa.”
About the African Center
The African Center for Governance, Asset Recovery, and Sustainable Development (“the African Center”) is an independent civil society organization headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria. The Center works with national governments, international and regional organizations, and non-governmental organizations to promote good governance, sustainable development, and the rule of law. We work to foster national and international cooperation in the recovery and return of proceeds of corruption and illicit financial flows to fill funding gaps for implementing the SDGs. The African Center shares the view that returning stolen assets will enable countries in the global South, particularly Africa, to build a foundation for prosperity and good governance.
