Abuja, Jan. 16, 2026 -The European Union (EU) has removed Nigeria from its list of financial crime high-risk countries.
Hafsat Bakari, the Chief Executive of Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Friday.
She said the delisting would be effective from Jan. 29.
Bakari said the EU decision represented international recognition of Nigeria’s ongoing reforms in financial regulation and compliance.
“Beyond the immediate economic benefits, this outcome strengthens international confidence in Nigeria’s financial system and underscores our standing as a cooperative and responsible participant in the global financial architecture,” she said.
Bakri said the NFIU had been at the forefront of efforts to strengthen the country’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing systems, while improving intelligence gathering and coordination among relevant agencies.
“This achievement is the product of collective national effort. While we welcome this progress, it also places a clear responsibility on all stakeholders to sustain momentum, guard against complacency and continue strengthening our systems in response to evolving financial crime risks,” she said.
The statement said the NFIU would continue to work with key international bodies, including the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), and the European Union, to maintain and improve Nigeria’s compliance standards.
“This decision represents an important external validation of Nigeria’s steady progress in strengthening its AML/CFT/CPF framework.
“It demonstrates that consistent reforms, effective coordination and strong national ownership can translate into tangible international outcomes,” Bakari said.
