EU Removes Nigeria from AML/CFT High-Risk List: ANEEJ Calls for Sustained Reforms and Transparency

Benin City, Edo State. January 21, 2026 – The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has welcomed the European Union’s (EU) official decision to remove Nigeria from its list of “high-risk third-country jurisdictions” for anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT).

In a statement released in Benin City and signed by its Executive Director, Rev. David Ugolor, the organization noted that the development was a significant milestone and a positive recognition of Nigeria’s recent efforts to strengthen its legal, institutional, and regulatory frameworks to combat money laundering, terrorism financing, and other illicit financial flows. It reflects the impact of reforms undertaken by relevant government agencies and civil society organisations, including improvements in risk assessment, supervision, enforcement, advocacy and international cooperation in line with global standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Ugolor asserted that Nigeria’s delisting from the EU high-risk register has important implications for the country’s economy, including improved investor confidence, easier access to international financial systems, and reduced compliance burdens for Nigerian businesses and financial institutions operating within the EU.

However, ANEEJ boss cautioned that this achievement must not lead to complacency. “The removal from the EU list should be seen as a call to deepen reforms, not relax them. Persistent challenges such as grand corruption, weak enforcement, beneficial ownership opacity, and illicit financial flows continue to undermine development outcomes and public trust,” Ugolor noted.

Ugolor stated emphatically, sustaining this progress requires several actions including full and effective implementation of Nigeria’s AML/CFT laws and regulations, enhancing inter-agency coordination and judicial effectiveness in prosecuting financial crimes, ensuring transparency in beneficial ownership registers and public access to information and protecting civic space and supporting civil society’s role in monitoring, advocacy, and accountability.

“As a long-standing advocate for transparency, accountability, and the fight against corruption, ANEEJ reaffirms its commitment to working with government institutions, international partners, the private sector, and civil society to ensure that Nigeria not only maintains its improved standing but also builds a resilient system that effectively combats financial crimes and promotes inclusive and sustainable development,” Ugolor asserted.

For further information, please contact 08187674339 or info@aneej.org and follow us on twitter, Instagram and facebook: @aneejnigria, aneej__nigeria and facebook.com/aneejnigeria