NFIU to launch Nigeria chapter of global women’s anti-money laundering network

The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, will on October 6 launch the Nigeria Chapter of the Women in Anti-Money Laundering, Counter-Financing of Terrorism and Counter-Proliferation Financing, AML/CFT/CPF, Network as part of efforts to strengthen women’s leadership and enhance collaboration in the country’s fight against financial crimes.

The initiative, which will be led by the NFIU, is expected to bring together women professionals from financial intelligence units, law enforcement agencies, regulatory bodies, financial institutions, designated non-financial businesses and professions, academia and development organisations.

Chief Executive Officer of the NFIU, Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, said the network would provide a platform for experienced professionals in the public and private sectors to mentor emerging talents, promote institutional collaboration and prepare more women for leadership positions in Nigeria’s financial integrity ecosystem.

“The Women in AML/CFT/CPF Network will provide a platform for experienced professionals in both public and private sectors to mentor the next generation, encourage greater collaboration across institutions and ensure that more women are equipped to take on leadership roles,” she said.

Mrs Bakari, who also serves as Nigeria’s National Correspondent to the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa, GIABA, said the initiative aligns with the global Women in AML/CFT/CPF movement launched under the Financial Action Task Force, FATF, Singapore Presidency and expanded during the Mexico Presidency of Elisa de Anda Madrazo.

She noted that women had played critical roles across Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and counter-financing architecture, including in regulation, supervision, compliance, risk management, legal advisory, fintech innovation and corporate governance.

“This initiative recognises those contributions and will help create pathways for more women to lead and shape the future of financial integrity in Nigeria,” she added.

According to the NFIU, the Nigerian chapter will implement mentorship programmes, technical exchanges, networking opportunities and capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening professional competence and institutional cooperation across the AML/CFT/CPF community.

The agency also disclosed plans to advocate through GIABA for the establishment of a West Africa Chapter of the Women in AML/CFT/CPF Network to expand mentorship, professional development and knowledge sharing across the sub-region.

It said the proposed regional platform would reinforce cooperation among West African countries in tackling money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing.

In a statement, the NFIU said the initiative was designed not only to promote gender inclusion but also to strengthen Nigeria’s overall response to financial crimes by leveraging the expertise and leadership of women across the sector.

The agency expressed confidence that the network would deliver immediate gains through training and professional exchanges while increasing the representation of women in senior anti-money laundering and financial crime leadership positions over the long term, alongside enhancing cross-border cooperation in West Africa.