By Nana Musa
The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) says it will champion the launch of the Nigeria Chapter of the Women in Anti-Money Laundering, Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Counter-Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/CPF) Network on Oct. 6.
The was contained in a statement issued by the NFIU management in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the NFIU Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, will lead the initiative to strengthen women’s leadership in Nigeria’s anti-money laundering community.
The management said that the CEO was also the Nigeria’s National Correspondent to the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA).
The agency said that the initiative would promote professional development, mentorship and collaboration among women working across the AML/CFT/CPF ecosystem.
It said the launch aligns with the global women in AML/CFT/CPF movement established during the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Singapore Presidency.
The movement was expanded under the presidency of Elisa de Anda Madrazo of Mexico.
According to the NFIU, the network promotes mentorship, knowledge sharing, leadership development and professional excellence among women professionals globally.
Bakari said that women had made significant contributions across Nigeria’s financial intelligence and anti-financial crime landscape.
She said that women were playing strategic roles in investigations, regulation, supervision, compliance, risk management and financial services.
The CEO said that including legal advisory, fintech innovation and corporate governance.
Bakari said that the network would connect experienced professionals with younger women through structured mentorship and institutional collaboration.
She said the initiative would prepare more women for leadership roles in shaping Nigeria’s financial integrity and security architecture.
According to her, that the country’s chapter will bring together women from public and private institutions involved in AML/CFT/CPF activities.
She listed participants to include financial intelligence units, law enforcement agencies, regulators, financial institutions and academia.
Others include designated non-financial businesses, professional bodies and development organisations.
Bakari said the chapter would deliver mentorship programmes, technical exchanges, networking opportunities and capacity-building initiatives.
She said that the country would also advocate the establishment of a West Africa Chapter through GIABA.
According to her, the regional initiative will deepen mentorship, knowledge sharing and cooperation against money laundering and illicit financing.
The CEO urged women across the AML/CFT/CPF ecosystem to join the initiative and support efforts promoting inclusion, innovation and professional excellence. (NAN) (www.nannew.ng)
