Abuja, Nigeria — The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, has emphasized the critical role of inter-agency collaboration in tackling money laundering and terrorism financing (ML/TF) in Nigeria.
Speaking at a workshop on the investigation and prosecution of ML/CFT cases—organized by the Nigeria Police Force in partnership with the NFIU and the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC) Programme—Bakari urged security agencies to strengthen their synergy in order to achieve more effective outcomes in combating financial crimes.
“We need strong collaboration in order to help each other. We respect the Police and the dynamics of your work,” she said, addressing officers and participants at the training session.
She encouraged attendees to apply the skills and knowledge gained from the workshop in the field, stressing that practical implementation is vital in confronting the increasing threat posed by illicit financial activities.
Bakari also highlighted the upcoming Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Joint Assessment visit scheduled for August 2025, pointing out that the international assessment will focus on evaluating Nigeria’s reported progress in its Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) initiatives.
“Their visit is not just a formality; it is to assess and validate what we have submitted as a country,” she explained.
In his closing remarks, Commissioner of Police in charge of the Anti-Money Laundering Unit, Hycenth Azuka Edozie, applauded Bakari for her leadership and continuous support in the fight against financial crimes. He also extended gratitude to the NFIU team and workshop facilitators for their contributions to the success of the training.
