Nigeria’s financial reforms have earned international recognition, as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) officially removed the country from its grey list, marking a turning point in transparency, financial integrity, and global confidence.
The announcement was made during the FATF Plenary held in Paris, France, on October 24, 2025, following Nigeria’s successful implementation of a comprehensive 19-point Action Plan that addressed strategic deficiencies in its Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CFT) framework.
This historic achievement highlights Nigeria’s strengthened regulatory environment, institutional coordination, and enhanced inter-agency cooperation – reforms that have redefined the nation’s global reputation in financial governance.
According to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the delisting represents Nigeria’s commitment to global compliance standards and the success of reforms championed under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The NFIU stated that the milestone reflects the country’s resolve to align its financial system with international best practices in combating money laundering, terrorism financing, and illicit financial flows.
Reforms That Drove the Achievement
Nigeria’s removal from the grey list followed significant legislative and operational reforms, including:
- Enactment of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
- Operationalisation of the Beneficial Ownership Register, promoting corporate transparency.
- Enhanced coordination among financial intelligence and law enforcement agencies to detect and prosecute financial crimes.
- Stronger preventive frameworks across public and private financial institutions.
- Improved supervision of Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs).
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, commended FATF for extending an invitation for Nigeria to join the Guest Jurisdictions Initiative, affirming the nation’s strengthened global standing.
NFIU Director/CEO, Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, attributed the success to collective efforts across public and private institutions, noting that “Nigeria’s removal from the FATF grey list is not just a testament of compliance, but a reflection of integrity and a renewed national commitment to transparency.”
A Stronger Signal to Investors
For international investors and capital market players, this development signals renewed confidence in Nigeria’s financial system, assuring compliance with global anti-financial crime standards.
Analysts note that the exit from the FATF grey list will boost investor sentiment, enhance Nigeria’s credit outlook, and strengthen inflows into sectors such as finance, infrastructure, and trade.
As Nigeria positions itself as an emerging hub for responsible investment and fiscal integrity, the achievement underscores the government’s focus on building a transparent and resilient financial ecosystem capable of sustaining economic growth.
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