A civil society group, the Inclusive Citizens’ Advancement Network (Inc-CAN) has linked the drive by the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) under Mr. Nuhu Ribadu to Nigeria’s recent exit from European Union (EU)’s list of high-risk countries citing its capacity to give strategic direction to critical multi-agencies as game changer.
News of the Nigeria’s historic exit from EU’s list of high-risk countries for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) is still reverberating across jurisdictions referencing the country for its dogged pursuit and commitment to preventing and countering illicit corporate governance, money laundering and terrorism financing.
The group’s findings emerged yesterday after its inaugural 2026 Strategic Global Affairs meeting in Abuja where it noted that Nigeria’s removal from the EU’s list is another good omen for Nigeria after October 2025 when the world’s foremost standards-setting intergovernmental body, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), de-listed it from the grey list of money laundering and terrorism financing nations.
National Convener of Inc-CAN, Emeka Nwankpa, and general secretary, Olufemi Adeniyi, in a statement in Abuja yesterday said that the latest feat was not just a mere coincidence but the climax of conscious and intentional actions by patriotic persons and agencies under the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu determined to see Nigeria’s development accelerated in their time.
‘’The ONSA under Nuhu Ribadu’s impact-driven watch has continued to set sound parameters for changing the negative narratives about Nigeria on the global scene. When it comes to fighting corruption, anti-money-laundering, cyber-crime, terrorism financing, etc, Nuhu Ribadu’s name pops up locally and globally.
‘’As NSA, he has provided the critical strategic direction, oversight and charismatic coordination needed to rally various security and intelligence agencies to effect change. The latest feat is widely considered a huge milestone signifying a major boost to its global financial image and economic outlook.
‘’Effective from January 2026, the delisting commenced the process of easing stringent due diligence on transactions, reduces business costs, and improves investor confidence, signaling that Nigeria has addressed and successfully closed key technical and operational gaps in its financial system’’, the group said.
‘’Like the FATF’s decision, EU’s removal of Nigeria from the grey list is a strong affirmation of its reform trajectory and the sustained integrity of Nigeria’s financial and counter-terrorism architecture, reflecting a clear policy direction and the coordinated efforts of key national institutions.
‘’The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), etc, synergized reforms that addressed the FATF’s concerns regarding anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF)’’, Nwankpa said.
The group praised the pivotal roles of the CEO/DG, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Hajiya Hafsat Bakari, noting that she has become a reference point among other concerned agencies. No wonder she earned President Bola Tinubu’s commendation.
‘’It is to NFIU’s credit that all national efforts on key reforms were coordinated to address gaps in the country’s anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) framework.
‘’With restored global financial credibility, Nigeria is now better positioned to attract the foreign investment needed to develop infrastructure, create jobs, and lift millions out of poverty in alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of a $1 trillion economy in 2030.
“We note that these achievements are fallouts of President Bola Tinubu’s skillful leadership and strong political will in embarking on bold economic reforms, and driving on the exceptional inter-agency coordination.
