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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) will lead the launch of the Nigeria Chapter of the global Women in AML/CFT/CPF Network on October 6, 2026, the agency announced in a press statement on Wednesday.
The initiative, championed by NFIU Chief Executive Officer and Nigeria’s GIABA national correspondent Hafsat Bakari, aims to promote women’s leadership, professional development and cross-sector collaboration in the fight against money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing.
“The Women in AML/CFT/CPF Network will provide a platform for experienced professionals in both public and private sectors, to mentor the next generation, encourage greater collaboration across institutions and ensure that more women are equipped to take on leadership roles,” Bakari said.
Established initially during the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Singapore Presidency and expanded under the leadership of Elisa de Anda Madrazo of Mexico, the global movement seeks to empower women in the AML/CFT/CPF community through mentorship, knowledge sharing and leadership development.
According to the NFIU, women have contributed across Nigeria’s AML/CFT/CPF landscape — from financial intelligence, investigations and regulation to compliance, risk management, legal advisory, fintech innovation and corporate governance.
The Nigeria Chapter will bring together women from Financial Intelligence Units, law enforcement agencies, regulatory bodies, financial institutions, designated non-financial businesses and professions, academia and development organisations.
Through mentorship programmes, technical exchanges, networking opportunities and capacity-building initiatives, the chapter will “support the growth of a stronger and more connected AML/CFT/CPF community,” the statement said.
The launch also forms part of a broader regional push. Nigeria will use its platform at the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) to advocate for a West Africa Chapter of the Network, extending mentorship and professional development opportunities to women across the region and bolstering regional cooperation against financial crime.
The NFIU urged women working across the AML/CFT/CPF ecosystem to join the initiative and help build “a vibrant network that promotes inclusion, leadership, innovation and excellence in the global fight against money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing,” the press release added.
