ANEEJ Welcomes Strengthened Nigeria–UK Security Partnership, Calls for Deeper Cooperation on Asset Recovery and Anti-Money Laundering
BENIN CITY, NIGERIA. July 20, 2026 — The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has welcomed the renewed commitment by the Governments of Nigeria and the United Kingdom to deepen bilateral cooperation on security, counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, intelligence sharing, fraud prevention and the fight against illicit finance, as reaffirmed during the Fourth United Kingdom–Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership Dialogue.
ANEEJ Executive Director, Rev David Ugolor in a statement in Benin City, Nigeria said “the renewed Nigeria–UK partnership is coming at a critical time when both countries are confronted with increasingly sophisticated threats from organised crime, terrorism financing, cyber-enabled financial crime, human trafficking, illicit financial flows and corruption.
“The renewed commitment by Nigeria and the United Kingdom to strengthen security and defence cooperation is timely and commendable. However, security cooperation must go beyond conventional policing and defence. It must deliberately target the financial systems, corporate structures, criminal networks and illicit wealth that enable insecurity, corruption, terrorism financing and organised crime to thrive.”
ANEEJ noted that these threats transcend national borders and therefore require stronger international cooperation, intelligence-led law enforcement, coordinated financial investigations, effective prosecution, judicial collaboration and transparent asset recovery mechanisms.
According to the organisation, both governments should invest additional political, technical and financial resources in strengthening collaboration among law enforcement, financial intelligence, prosecutorial and judicial institutions. ANEEJ stressed that enhanced cooperation between agencies responsible for combating money laundering, terrorism financing, cybercrime, corruption and organised criminal networks will significantly improve the ability of both countries to detect, investigate, prosecute, confiscate and recover the proceeds of crime.
“We particularly welcome the inclusion of illicit finance within the broader security agenda. Financial crime is not merely an economic issue; it is a major enabler of insecurity, violent extremism, organised crime, illegal mining, environmental crimes, corruption and state capture. Breaking the financial lifelines of criminal organisations remains one of the most effective strategies for improving national, regional and international security,” Ugolor added.
ANEEJ further stated that the forthcoming United Kingdom Summit on Illicit Financial Flows, together with the UK’s leadership role within the Financial Action Task Force, presents a unique opportunity for Nigeria and the United Kingdom to establish an ambitious and forward-looking framework for combating illicit financial flows and strengthening implementation of international anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards.
The organisation urged both governments to seize the opportunity to develop innovative mechanisms for asset tracing, freezing, confiscation, management and transparent return of stolen assets. It also called for enhanced use, verification and exchange of beneficial ownership information to identify the real owners of companies, trusts and other legal arrangements often used to conceal illicit wealth.
ANEEJ also called for accelerated implementation of the Financial Action Task Force Recommendations, particularly those relating to beneficial ownership transparency, politically exposed persons, financial intelligence, international cooperation and asset recovery.
The organisation further urged both governments to expand cooperation in tackling trade-based money laundering, virtual asset-related crime, cyber-enabled financial crime and the misuse of emerging technologies by criminal networks.
“Asset recovery must be transparent, accountable and people-centred. Recovered assets should not disappear into opaque systems. They should be returned through processes that are open to public scrutiny and used to support development priorities that benefit citizens, especially poor and vulnerable communities affected by corruption and weak governance,” Rev. Ugolor said.
ANEEJ encouraged both governments to institutionalise regular engagement with civil society organisations, academia, investigative journalists and the private sector. The organisation said these stakeholders play an indispensable role in promoting transparency, monitoring implementation of reforms, strengthening public accountability and supporting evidence-based policymaking.
ANEEJ noted that Nigeria has made important progress in strengthening its anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism framework, but stressed that sustaining these reforms will require continuous investment in institutional capacity, technological innovation, inter-agency coordination and international partnerships.
“The renewed Nigeria–UK partnership provides an excellent platform to accelerate financial integrity reforms, deepen law enforcement cooperation and strengthen regional and global efforts against illicit financial flows. Nigeria and the UK must now move from commitments to measurable outcomes,” Ugolor stated.
ANEEJ reaffirmed its commitment to supporting both governments through independent research, policy dialogue, technical engagement and evidence-based advocacy aimed at strengthening asset recovery systems, combating illicit financial flows, promoting beneficial ownership transparency and advancing effective implementation of the Financial Action Task Force standards.
The statement further noted that Nigeria and the United Kingdom have an opportunity to demonstrate global leadership by transforming international cooperation into concrete results that prevent organised crime, recover stolen assets, strengthen public institutions and enhance sustainable development.
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