The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) will start the Nigerian chapter of the global Women in Anti-Money Laundering, Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Counter-Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/CPF) Network on 6 October. This move aims to boost women's leadership in Nigeria's fight against financial crimes.
Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, the Chief Executive Officer of the NFIU and Nigeria’s National Correspondent to the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), will lead this initiative. The NFIU shared this information in a statement released on Wednesday.
The NFIU pointed out that this initiative shows Nigeria's commitment to promoting women's leadership, professional growth, and teamwork among agencies fighting money laundering, terrorism financing, and weapon financing.
Ms Bakari said that women are making important contributions to Nigeria’s financial integrity system. This includes roles in the public and private sectors.
She explained that women are vital in areas such as financial intelligence, criminal investigations, regulation, compliance, risk management, legal advisory services, financial institutions, fintech innovation, and corporate governance.
“The Women in AML/CFT/CPF Network will create a platform for experienced professionals in both public and private sectors to mentor the next generation. It will promote better collaboration across institutions and ensure that more women are ready to take on leadership roles in shaping the future of financial integrity and security,” she said.
Platform for mentorship and collaboration
The NFIU stated that the Nigerian chapter will gather women from financial intelligence units, law enforcement, regulatory bodies, banks, designated non-financial businesses, academia, and development organizations.
Members will gain from mentorship programs, technical exchanges, networking chances, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at boosting skills and teamwork in the sector.
The initiative is part of a larger goal to create a more inclusive and connected community of professionals working against financial crimes.
Beyond Nigeria, the NFIU plans to push for a West African chapter of the Women in AML/CFT/CPF Network through GIABA. This regional platform will offer mentorship, professional development, and knowledge-sharing opportunities to women throughout West Africa. It will also strengthen cooperation among countries to fight money laundering, terrorist financing, and weapon financing.
The NFIU encourages women in the AML/CFT/CPF ecosystem to join this initiative and help build a stronger professional network.
Money laundering and terrorism financing are major global issues. Countries need to improve their legal, regulatory, and institutional frameworks to align with standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). This international body sets the rules for fighting illegal financial flows.
Nigeria is a member of GIABA, the FATF-style regional body for West Africa. GIABA conducts mutual evaluations of member states’ systems for combating money laundering and terrorism financing, supporting reforms to meet international standards.
The Women in AML/CFT/CPF Network was launched during Singapore’s presidency of the FATF. It has grown under the current leadership to encourage more women to take leadership positions in the global financial integrity community through mentorship, sharing knowledge, and professional development.
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