The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Hajia Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, on Monday appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes for the 2026 Budget Appraisal and Defence.
The session, held at the National Assembly, focused on consolidating Nigeria’s financial crime control framework and sustaining recent gains in anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, and counter-proliferation financing (AML/CFT/CPF).
Presenting on behalf of the NFIU, Hajia Bakari commended the Committee and the National Assembly for their legislative interventions, sustained oversight and institutional support, which she said were instrumental to Nigeria’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list and the European Union’s high-risk third-country list.
According to her, these milestones have significantly enhanced Nigeria’s global standing, restored international confidence, and secured participation rights under the FATF Guest Jurisdictions Initiative.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Committee, Rt. Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, highlighted the tangible outcomes recorded in Nigeria’s financial crime control efforts, attributing the progress to improved financial intelligence support and strengthened inter-agency collaboration.
He acknowledged the pivotal role played by the NFIU in advancing financial intelligence analysis and dissemination, describing the achievements as a reflection of focused leadership and sustained institutional reforms under Hajia Hafsat Abubakar Bakari.
The Committee reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the NFIU through effective legislation, adequate funding and robust oversight, as lawmakers and agency leadership pledged continued collaboration to further strengthen Nigeria’s financial integrity system.
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