Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr Emomotimi Agama, has expressed strong optimism over Nigeria’s recent removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, describing it as a landmark achievement that will rekindle investor confidence and open new avenues for foreign investment in the country.
FATF, the global body responsible for promoting measures against money laundering and terrorism financing, announced that Nigeria had been delisted from the group of countries identified as having strategic deficiencies in their anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing systems.
Agama explained that this development is a reflection of Nigeria’s renewed policy direction and deepening commitment to transparency, accountability, and sound financial governance.
He emphasised that the delisting marks a turning point for the Nigerian capital market and the wider financial ecosystem, as it signals to investors and international partners that Nigeria has made tangible progress in strengthening its regulatory and institutional frameworks.
According to him, investor confidence, long seen as a vital driver of economic growth, would now receive a significant boost, creating a more attractive environment for both local and foreign capital inflows.
He described the FATF’s decision as a welcome call to new investments, underscoring its potential to stimulate greater productivity, enhance the depth of the capital market, and accelerate national development.
The SEC boss explained that after implementing a comprehensive 19-point action plan, Nigeria was able to address FATF’s concerns and demonstrate meaningful progress in improving its systems for combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
This sustained effort, he said, culminated in the country’s removal from the grey list after more than two years of rigorous evaluation and monitoring by the global watchdog.
Agama lauded the achievement as a major milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing journey toward economic reform, institutional integrity, and international credibility.
He commended Mrs Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, the Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), and her team for their diligence, professionalism, and leadership in coordinating the implementation of Nigeria’s action plan.
The NFIU, according to him, played a central role in driving the reforms that have now earned Nigeria global recognition for its commitment to building robust systems to tackle financial crimes.
In addition, the SEC Director-General extended appreciation to key figures in government who contributed to this national success, including the National Security Adviser, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and several ministers whose collaborative efforts were crucial in achieving FATF’s approval.
