By Jane Okeke
The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, has announced that Nigeria will launch its chapter of the Women in Anti-Money Laundering, Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Counter-Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/CPF) Network on October 6, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen women’s leadership in the country’s financial integrity framework.
Bakari, who also serves as Nigeria’s National Correspondent to the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), said the initiative reflects Nigeria’s commitment to advancing professional development, mentorship and collaboration among women working in the fight against financial crimes.
According to a statement issued by the NFIU on Wednesday, the Nigerian chapter aligns with the global Women in AML/CFT/CPF movement, established during the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Singapore Presidency and expanded under the leadership of Elisa de Anda Madrazo of Mexico.
The statement noted that the global network has become a strategic platform for promoting mentorship, knowledge sharing, leadership development and professional excellence among women professionals across the financial crime prevention ecosystem.
Speaking on the initiative, Bakari said women have continued to make significant contributions to Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework, both in public institutions and the private sector.
She observed that women play vital roles in financial intelligence, investigations, regulation, supervision, compliance, risk management, legal advisory services, financial services, fintech innovation and corporate governance.
”The Women in AML/CFT/CPF Network will provide a platform for experienced professionals in both the public and private sectors to mentor the next generation, encourage stronger collaboration across institutions and equip more women to assume leadership positions in shaping the future of financial integrity and security,” she said.
The NFIU explained that the Nigeria Chapter will bring together women from financial intelligence units, law enforcement agencies, regulatory institutions, financial organisations, designated non-financial businesses and professions, academia and development partners.
It added that the network would promote mentorship programmes, technical exchanges, capacity-building initiatives and professional networking aimed at strengthening the country’s AML/CFT/CPF ecosystem.
The statement further disclosed that Nigeria would use its position in GIABA to advocate the establishment of a West Africa Chapter of the Women in AML/CFT/CPF Network to expand mentorship, knowledge sharing and professional development opportunities for women across the sub-region.
According to the NFIU, the regional initiative is expected to deepen cooperation among West African countries in tackling money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing.
The agency called on women professionals across the AML/CFT/CPF ecosystem to support the initiative and contribute to building a vibrant network that promotes inclusion, innovation, leadership and excellence in safeguarding the integrity of the financial system.
NFIU to Lead Nigeria’s Women Anti-Money Laundering Network
