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Money Laundering: Stakeholders Seek Strategies for Nigeria’s Removal from FATF Grey List

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Money Laundering: Stakeholders Seek Strategies for Nigeria’s Removal from FATF Grey List

By: Michael Mike

Stakeholders on Thursday advocated improved capacity for law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute money laundering and terrorism financing cases in Nigeria.

The participants at the dialogue on strengthening Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism framework engagement on Nigeria’s FATF delisting, also demanded effective strategies that could lead to the removal of Nigeria from the Financial Action Task Force grey list.

The FATF greylisted Nigeria in February 2023, and the country again failed to scale a review carried out by the global financial intelligence agency at its plenary, in November of the same year.

The participants were drawn from the Ministry of Justice, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the University of Warwick and the University of Lancaster.

The programme which was held in Abuja, was hosted by the African Centre for Governance, Assets Recovery and Sustainable Development in collaboration with the Global South Dialogue on Economic Crime, the University of Warwick, the University of Lancaster and the Economic and Social Research Council, among others.

An assistant professor at the University of Warwick Law School, Dr. Joy Malala, noted the greylisting of several African countries by the FATF and proposed that “a shared approach to mitigating the risk of listing needed to be documented.”

Malala stated, “So, part of our aim is to do a NEEDS assessment and try to understand the challenges that many of the government agencies face; whether it’s data management, whether it’s interagency collaboration, communication and what they do with that data as well.

‘’We are also interested in many of the judicial actors, trying to understand how the prosecution works, taking these cases forward to the courts, how the courts adjudicate them, and trying to see how police interact with Customs, interact with other agencies, to better understand the needs of Nigeria.

She explained that money laundering is not a nation-specific crime, emphasising its cross-border, transnational nature, adding that a better coalition would, in fact, limit and constrain how illicit finances flow.

‘’It would better constrain how money flows within these networks, these organised crime networks. So, we are hoping to expand it to other countries, but the focus of this project is strictly on Nigeria as a case study,” she clarified.

Also speaking, Dr Nkechi Azinge-Egbiri of the University of Lancaster said the participants at the dialogue who included stakeholders from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Directorate of State Services would rub minds and strategise against the challenges in combating money laundering and terrorism financing.

“We want to ask and find out what the challenges are, to benchmark their capacity, and to see how we can aid in strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, which is very crucial and would contribute to Nigeria’s ability to also attain SDG 16, which is about reducing illicit financial flows within the country, and outside the country,” she said.

The Executive Director of the African Centre for Governance, Asset Recovery and Sustainable Development, Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu, said the centre was collaborating with the Federal Government under the International Coordination Review Group, to ensure Nigeria’s delisting from the FATF grey list.

She listed the outstanding issues to include prosecution, investigation, intelligence gathering, and managing data related to terrorism financing cases.

The former NFIU director noted, “Well, today, we are essentially looking at how to improve our systems, whether we’re talking about investigation, prosecution, or in terms of gathering intelligence that will support the investigation.

‘’One of the challenges relates to the investigation of terrorism cases as opposed to any other crime, and also to make sure that when we do that, every law enforcement agency that is involved has the intelligence to do their work, has the capacity to then investigate and then prosecute.’’

Money Laundering: Stakeholders Seek Strategies for Nigeria’s Removal from FATF Grey List

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Three Bandits Killed as Terrorists Attack Chediya Community in Tsafe LGA

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Three Bandits Killed as Terrorists Attack Chediya Community in Tsafe LGA

By: Zagazola Makama

At least three suspected terrorists were neutralised on Sunday following a violent attack on Chediya community in Agarin ward of Tsafe Local Government Area, Zamfara State.

According to local sources, armed bandits stormed the village in the early hours, opening fire and setting several houses ablaze. The residents, however, mounted stiff resistance, engaging the attackers in a fierce confrontation that resulted in the death of three of the assailants.

While the villagers succeeded in repelling the attackers, the bandits also burned down several homes and forced many families to flee for safety.

“They came heavily armed and started shooting sporadically. Some of our youth confronted them, and in the fight, we managed to kill three of them,” said a resident who asked not to be named for security reasons.

Three Bandits Killed as Terrorists Attack Chediya Community in Tsafe LGA

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Women engineers urge intensified action to tackle plastic pollution

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Women engineers urge intensified action to tackle plastic pollution

The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), on Monday, called for urgent global action to tackle plastic pollution causing environmental crisis.

APWEN, under its “STEM for All” initiative, North-East zone, made the call, while commemorating the 2025 World Environment Day in Gombe.

Speaking virtually, President of APWEN, Engr. Adebisi Osim, said it is imperative to encourage recycling of plastics, as part of measures to reduce pollution.

Osim noted that the amount of plastics manufactured annually for use had made it necessary for urgent actions to be taken, to ensure a cleaner and safer environment.

“Today’s theme, “End Plastic Pollution” is not just a catchy phrase, It is a wake-up call; a global one and we are answering that call, not with panic, but with STEM-driven solutions and people-centered action.

“According to the United Nations Environment Programme, the world produces over 430 million tonnes of plastic annually, and over two-thirds of that becomes waste.

“Alarmingly, less than 10 per cent is recycled, and the rest clogs our drains, litters our streets, chokes our rivers, and poisons marine life.

“Here in Nigeria, the World Bank estimates that Lagos alone generates 13,000 metric tonnes of waste per day, and 15 per cent of that is plastic.

“We see it daily in pure water sachets lining our gutters, single-use bags littering markets, and microplastics infiltrating our food chains,” she said
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Osim called on stakeholders to invest more in recycling the plastics towards reducing the need for new plastic production, which will in turn lower greenhouse gas emission.

She assured that state chapters are collaborating with young people, to design plastic alternatives, using local materials, and to build waste-sorting systems using simple robotics.

Osim added that the chapters will also explore the conduct of STEM fairs, which are focused on sustainable innovation.

In the same vein, Chairman of the Gombe chapter of APWEN, Engr. Deborah Danladi, urged stakeholders to invest in plastic waste recycling, to save the environment, as well as create jobs and wealth for youths.

Danladi also underscored the need for more action and sensitisation to ensure collective approach to addressing the menace of plastic pollution.

Women engineers urge intensified action to tackle plastic pollution

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UN Agencies Drum Support for Adequate Investment in MSMEs

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UN Agencies Drum Support for Adequate Investment in MSMEs

By: Michael Mike

The United Nations (UN) agencies in Nigeria have hammered on the need for adequate investment in the development of Micro, Small and Medium sized Enterprises (MSMEs) to advance economic growth in the country.

The agencies disclosed this during the commemoration ceremony of the 2025 MSMEs Day on Monday in Abuja.

The event was jointly organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), International Labour Organisation (ILO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) and World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

Director, UNIDO Sub-regional Office, Abuja, Mr. Philbert Johnson, who was represented by National Programme Officer at UNIDO, Mr. Reuben Bamidele,, said that MSMEs role in nation building cannot be underestimated, therefore the need for adequate investment to ensure their sustainable growth is of uppermost importance.

Johnson said: “We are gathered together today to discuss proper ways to promote innovation and growth within the MSMEs sector.

“In Nigeria, as we know not less than 40million MSMEs are making huge contribution to the economic growth of the country, by providing employment and serving as means of livelihood for people.

“MSMEs, thereby, contribute to the growth of Gross Domestic Products across sectors of the country’s economy. We gathered to dissect the challenges MSMEs face and also, to work closely together towards achieving sustainable growth.”

The ILO Country Representative, Dr Vanessa Phala, stressed the need for strategic measures to be taken to bolster MSMEs impact on the nation’s economy.

Phala, who was represented by ILO’s National Project Coordinator for the Social Dimension of Ecological Transition, Stephen Agugua, said: “We look at how MSMEs can drive the future of the economy through job creation and employment. When you think of job creation and employment that is where ILO comes in.

“MSMEs are key to the growth of every economic sphere: Through this dialogue platform ILO will know the challenges MSMEs are facing and look at pathways for ensuring sustainable solutions collectively.”

The UNDP Deputy-Director, Ms Varsha Redkar-Palepu, represented the National Programme Specialist and Trade Focal Point at UNDP by Claire Henshaw,, described MSMEs as pivotal to nation building.

She noted that MSMEs form the foundation of inclusive and sustainable development in Nigeria, “MSMEs are vital engines for job creation, innovation and social mobilisation, particularly for women and youths. While operating on margins of formal economic systems, we need to put MSMEs at the centre of our development.

“In Nigeria and across Africa, MSMEs holds the key to transforming economic opportunities to meaningful development and the ambition into tangible outcomes,” Phala said.

On his part, Managing-Director of Prohealth, a private organisation, Dr Chinedu Nnabuihe who spoke on behalf of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), commended the UN agencies for putting the event together.

According to him, the event is dedicated to the invaluable role MSMEs play in advancing innovation, creating jobs, increasing inclusive and sustainable economic growth across the country.

“In Nigeria, MSMEs are the engine of our economy, driving local production, supporting livelihood and contributing significantly to national GDPs. This is amidst challenges posed by economic situation, limited access to finance and infrastructure.
“Nigeria MSMEs have continued to demonstrate resilience, creativity and determination. At NECA we remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering an enabling environment in supporting MSMEs development,” Nnabuihe said.

The event attracted stakeholders from Small and Medium Enterprises Development (SMEDAN), Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Nigeria Association of of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

Others include, National Insurance Commission (NICOM), Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).

Highpoint of the event was visit by the stakeholders to the exhibition stand of MSMEs, overview of UNDP engagement with MSMEs, government agencies’ engagement with MSMEs and WIP-intellectual property for MSMEs.
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