Copyright tribuneonlineng
The leadership of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on Saturday expressed fully committed towards maintaining the highest ethical financial standard in all its governance and resolve to uphold a culture of transparency, accountability and integrity. The NGF Chairman, Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRasaq gave the assurance via a statement titled: ‘Nigeria Exits From Financial Action Task Force Grey List’, issued by Director, Media and Strategic communications, Mr. Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi. While applauding the feat, he observed that the full removal of Nigeria from the FATF grey list is “coming after years of thorough investigation and review of Nigeria’s financial systems. He averred that the remarkable result was predicated on the diplomatic and political efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governors of the 36 states of the federation, notable institutions like the Federal Ministry of Finance, Central Bank of Nigeria, Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.” Recall that in 2023, Nigeria was placed on the Financial Action Task Force grey list after the global body found deficiencies in Nigeria’s anti- money laundering and counterfeiting the financing of terrorism in West Africa Framework. “Since then, through a combination of legislative reforms, institutional strengthening and enhanced inter-agency coordination, Nigeria has demonstrated sustained political will to achieve full compliance. “Within that period, key reforms have been achieved including operationalization of the beneficial ownership register, improving of corporate transparency and accountability. “Also, enhanced capacity of intelligence, law enforcement and regulatory agencies in detecting, analysing and prosecuting complex crimes has been achieved,” he noted. In his remarks, NGF Chairman, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazak of Kwara State said: “We are very pleased with this outcome and proud to see Nigeria formally welcomed back into the global transparency community. “Nigeria has handled this difficult situation with enormous grace and integrity and this green light attests to the trust and confidence in our financial systems and our leaders both at the national and sub-national levels. “Throughout this period, the NFIU, CBN, the NGF, representing the sub-national government, Ministry of Finance availed FATF all the necessary support in providing information to all inquiries which led to this clearance. “The Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF is fully committed to maintaining the highest ethical financial standard in all its governance and will continue to uphold a culture of transparency, accountability and integrity,” he assured.
