Nigeria has received international recognition for its efforts to combat financial crime, as the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), in collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), won the UNODC–World Bank–Egmont Group Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) Initiative Award.
The award was presented during the 32nd Egmont Group Plenary of Heads of Financial Intelligence Units held in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Regarded as one of the highest operational honours in the global financial intelligence community, the award recognises outstanding cases that demonstrate innovation, international cooperation, operational effectiveness and measurable impact in tackling money laundering and other serious financial crimes.
According to the organisers, the winning case showcased how financial intelligence provided by the NFIU supported an EFCC investigation, leading to the successful recovery of stolen assets through effective inter-agency and international collaboration.
Reacting to the recognition, the Chief Executive Officer of the NFIU, Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, described the award as a proud moment for Nigeria and a validation of the country’s financial intelligence system.
Bakari said the honour reflects the professionalism of the NFIU and demonstrates the impact of intelligence-led investigations in disrupting illicit financial networks, recovering stolen assets and supporting global efforts to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
She commended the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, and officers of the Commission for their commitment to collaboration, noting that the award underscores the importance of strong partnerships among Nigerian institutions.
Bakari also congratulated the staff of the NFIU, reporting entities and other stakeholders whose timely financial reports and support contributed to the achievement.
The Egmont Group comprises Financial Intelligence Units from more than 180 jurisdictions and serves as the leading platform for the secure exchange of financial intelligence to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and related financial crimes.
Nigeria’s latest recognition comes as the country continues to strengthen its anti-money laundering framework and enhance compliance with international standards, reinforcing confidence in its capacity to generate actionable financial intelligence and deliver effective enforcement outcomes.
