President Bola Tinubu has given his nod to the appointment of Ms. Hafsat Abubakar Bakari as the Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), signaling a new era for the agency.
Ms. Bakari, a distinguished lawyer and financial intelligence expert, brings a wealth of experience in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing to her new role.
Her previous tenure as Deputy Director at the NFIU and her diverse roles at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have equipped her with the necessary skills to take on the challenges of leading the NFIU.
President Tinubu has expressed confidence in Ms. Bakari’s ability to effectively steer the NFIU in combatting illicit financial activities and fraudulent practices in the foreign exchange markets.
The President’s Special Adviser for Media & Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement on Tuesday, announced that Ms. Bakari’s appointment is subject to confirmation by the Senate, highlighting the President’s optimism about her potential to fulfil her responsibilities.
Ms. Bakari’s appointment comes at a critical juncture as the Nigerian government intensifies its efforts to tackle financial crimes and uphold the integrity of the nation’s financial system. With her extensive background in AML/CFT/CPF, Ms. Bakari is poised to bring valuable expertise to the leadership of the NFIU.
As Ms. Bakari prepares to assume her new role, there are high expectations for the impact she will make in advancing the NFIU’s objectives and supporting the administration’s anti-corruption agenda.
Her appointment signifies a significant step in strengthening the NFIU’s capacity to address financial crimes and uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s financial sector.
