Nigeria has been officially removed from the European Union’s list of high-risk third countries for money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing, marking a significant boost to the country’s financial credibility and global standing.
The delisting is contained in European Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) C (2025) 8460, adopted on December 4, 2025, and set to take effect from January 29, 2026. The decision follows updates issued by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) during its October 2025 Plenary, where Nigeria exited the list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring.
The development was confirmed on Friday by Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), who described the move as a major validation of Nigeria’s sustained anti-financial crime reforms.
According to the European Commission, Nigeria was removed after demonstrating substantial improvements in the effectiveness of its anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing and counter-proliferation financing (AML/CFT/CPF) frameworks. Authorities said the country successfully closed long-standing technical and operational gaps and fully implemented commitments outlined in its FATF Action Plan.
Alongside Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Mozambique, South Africa and Tanzania were also taken off the EU’s high-risk list after resolving strategic deficiencies that previously placed them under enhanced monitoring.
Nigeria’s exit from the list reflects wide-ranging reforms pursued under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which placed renewed emphasis on financial system integrity, stronger inter-agency collaboration and alignment with international regulatory standards.
The reform process involved coordinated efforts among the National Assembly, law enforcement agencies, financial regulators, supervisors, the judiciary, private-sector operators and international development partners, according to the NFIU.
Reacting to the decision, Bakari said the EU’s action underscores Nigeria’s growing credibility in the global financial system.
“This decision represents an important external validation of Nigeria’s steady progress in strengthening its AML/CFT/CPF framework. It shows that consistent reforms, effective coordination and strong national ownership can deliver meaningful international outcomes,” she said.
With the delisting, financial transactions involving Nigerian individuals, businesses and EU-based institutions will no longer be subjected to enhanced due diligence requirements, a move expected to ease compliance costs and speed up cross-border payments.
The NFIU noted that the decision is likely to support foreign investment, boost trade flows and improve Nigeria’s overall investment climate, as international partners regain confidence in the country’s financial safeguards.
Bakari added that the implications extend beyond immediate economic gains.
“Beyond the compliance relief, this outcome strengthens global confidence in Nigeria’s financial system and reinforces our position as a responsible and cooperative player in the international financial architecture,” she said, while urging stakeholders to avoid complacency.
She stressed that sustaining the progress would require continued vigilance and adaptation to emerging financial crime risks.
The NFIU reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing engagement with the FATF, GIABA, the European Union and other international partners, as well as close collaboration with domestic stakeholders to maintain compliance and further strengthen Nigeria’s AML/CFT/CPF regime.
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