ANEEJ, African Centre Secure Commitment from Government, Other Stakeholders to Deliver on the Illicit Finance Resilience Project

Abuja, Nigeria – 19 August 2025… ANEEJ and the African Centre has launched the Illicit Finance Resilience Project with strong commitments from government institutions, development partners, and civil society to collaborate in tackling illicit financial flows (IFFs) and strengthening asset recovery and management.

The commitments were made at the inception meeting, of the project titled “Tackling Illicit Financial Flows through Asset Recovery and Management and Countering Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing and Proliferation Financing (AML/CFT/PF) in Nigeria”, which was held in Abuja and brought together senior officials from the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), the Nigerian Police Force and other agencies, alongside development partners including the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), civil society organisations, the media, and the private sector.

Delivering remarks on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, Head of the Asset Recovery and Management Unit, Ali Bozi, pledged the Ministry’s full support. “Illicit financial flows remain one of the most significant threats to sustainable development, governance, and national security. Together, we can ensure that recovered resources are not only returned but are invested in critical sectors that directly benefit the Nigerian people. …I pledge my continued support to cooperate, coordinate, and back this project to achieve its purpose.”

Representing the UK Government, Anicetus Atakpu, speaking on behalf of Jehanzeb Khan – Illicit Finance Advisor, FCDO Nigeria Office, reaffirmed the UK’s partnership: “Asset recovery is a central pillar in these efforts. Confiscating and recovering the proceeds of crime are essential to leveraging sanctions against offenders and securing justice for victims. Evidence has shown that putting stolen assets towards public goods and services is the best way of ensuring anti-corruption efforts deliver for ordinary citizens.”

Speaking for civil society, Rev. David Ugolor, Executive Director of the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), emphasised the scale of the challenge “Illicit financial flows continue to drain Nigeria of much-needed resources for development. The African Union estimates that the continent loses about $150 billion annually, with Nigeria accounting for nearly 20 percent of that loss. Our project seeks to build partnerships across government and civil society to ensure that recovered assets are transparently managed and reinvested for the benefit of Nigerians.” He stressed that the project seeks to build partnerships across government and civil society to ensure that recovered assets are transparently managed and reinvested for the benefit of Nigerians.

Speaking as a co-implementer to the project, Juliet Ibekaku, Nwagu, Executive Director of the African Center for Governance, Asset Recovery and Sustainable Development, highlighted its technical role in strengthening implementation: “Through this project, we will provide technical support and follow up with training of investigators and prosecutors so they become better aligned with the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act. This will help ensure asset recovery processes are more effective and accountable.”

From the extractives sector, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Executive Secretary of NEITI, stressed the urgency of addressing systemic vulnerabilities: “Illicit financial flows are not abstract statistics. They represent stolen opportunities—lost revenues that could have built schools, hospitals, roads, and jobs. If we do not close the loopholes in oil, gas, and mining governance, asset recovery will remain a revolving door—recovering what is stolen today, only to lose more tomorrow.” Emphaninsing the necessity of the project he added that “If we don’t close the loopholes in the oil, gas, and mining industries, asset recovery will remain a revolving door — recovery today only to lose it tomorrow”
He further affirmed that “We pledge our full cooperation in the implementation of this project. We will bring fully to the table our ability and capability to provide the data needed.”

To cap his remark, He further exclaimed that “NEITI stand ready to extend this partnership to other stakeholders”
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), represented by Princess Aruoriwoh-Esmer Chifiero is the Anti-Corruption Coordinator for UNODC Nigeria through its Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) Initiative, reiterated international backing:
“The StAR Initiative will continue to support this progress,” the representative said, commending the collaboration of civil society, government, and development partners.

Senior officials from the NFIU, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), NAPTIP, FIRS, and the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) also pledged their support, generating a strong consensus that IFFs pose a serious threat and that the project offers a vital platform for joint action.

With over 60 participants from government, law enforcement, civil society, and international partners, the inception meeting marked a major step towards a coordinated front against illicit finance.

The Illicit Finance Resilience Project is a nine-month initiative funded by the UK FCDO and implemented by ANEEJ in partnership with the African Centre. It focuses on strengthening Nigeria’s asset recovery and management framework, advancing transparency and accountability, supporting implementation of the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act (2022), and addressing vulnerabilities in the extractive sector that drive IFFs.

For further information, please contact 09069725955 or info@aneej.org and follow us on twitter, Instagram and facebook: @aneejnigria, @Latakpu, aneej__nigeria and facebook.com/aneejnige