EU Removes Nigeria from Financial Crime Watchlist After Key Reforms
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The European Union removes Nigeria from its financial crime watchlist, marking a major boost to the country’s global financial credibility after years of intensified reforms.
The delisting follows the adoption of European Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) C (2025) 8460 on December 4, 2025, which takes effect on January 29, 2026. The decision aligns with outcomes of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) October 2025 plenary, which earlier removed Nigeria from its grey list.
The confirmation was disclosed on Friday by the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, who describes the move as “a major milestone for Nigeria’s financial system”.
According to the European Commission, Nigeria meets required benchmarks after strengthening its anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing and counter-proliferation financing frameworks. Authorities’ close technical and operational gaps identified under the FATF Action Plan through sustained institutional reforms.
Bakari says the decision validates Nigeria’s reform agenda. “This outcome reflects sustained national commitment to transparency, cooperation and compliance with international standards,” she says.
With the delisting, Nigerian banks and businesses will no longer face enhanced due-diligence requirements in EU transactions. Analysts say this eases compliance costs, accelerates cross-border payments and improves Nigeria’s attractiveness to investors.
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