Nigeria Customs Vows To Sustain Removal From Financial Grey List

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) have reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining Nigeria’s removal from the international grey list by strengthening measures against money laundering and terrorism financing.

Speaking at a stocktaking meeting in Abuja, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Kikelomo Adeola, said the exercise was crucial for identifying gaps, assessing progress and preparing the country for its next mutual evaluation on Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CFT).

Adeola commended the NFIU for its contributions towards strengthening Nigeria’s financial intelligence framework, expressing confidence that the country would sustain its progress and avoid being returned to the grey list.

She emphasised the importance of continuous collaboration among relevant institutions, noting that effective implementation of existing measures would be essential to maintaining Nigeria’s compliance with international standards.

The Chief Executive Officer of the NFIU, Hafsat Abubakar, represented by Emmanuel Sotande, attributed Nigeria’s removal from the grey list in October 2025 to the collective efforts of relevant stakeholders.

Abubakar stressed the need to consolidate the achievements recorded by strengthening existing measures and demonstrating lasting effectiveness in combating money laundering and terrorism financing.

She noted that sustaining the country’s progress would require continued institutional cooperation, effective monitoring and consistent implementation of policies designed to prevent financial crimes.

The meeting provided an opportunity for stakeholders to assess the progress made, identify outstanding challenges and strengthen strategies for ensuring Nigeria maintains its standing in the international financial system.