By Peter Omopo
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian people on the country’s official removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List, describing the development as a major victory for transparency, governance, and financial integrity.
In a congratulatory message to the President, NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said the milestone “is a clear testament to Your Excellency’s visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to strengthening governance, transparency, and institutional integrity in our nation.”
Governor AbdulRazaq added that the removal reflects the tangible results of the Renewed Hope Administration’s reform agenda, particularly in the areas of fiscal prudence, anti-corruption, and the restoration of Nigeria’s global economic credibility.
“This achievement underscores the impact of President Tinubu’s leadership in repositioning Nigeria as a responsible and trusted member of the international financial system,” he said.
The forum noted that Nigeria’s exit from the FATF’s list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring—popularly called the Grey List—would boost investor confidence, attract foreign capital, and strengthen the foundation for sustainable development across all levels of government.
“The NGF remains steadfast in its commitment to collaborate with the Federal Government to consolidate these gains, ensure continued compliance with global financial standards, and build a resilient and inclusive economy,” the statement read.
The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) had on Friday announced that Nigeria was officially removed from the FATF Grey List during the task force’s October 2025 plenary session in Paris, France.
According to the NFIU, the decision followed Nigeria’s “significant progress in implementing reforms to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and other forms of financial crime.”
The agency described the development as a “historic moment in Nigeria’s fight against serious financial crimes,” noting that the country had successfully addressed the strategic deficiencies identified by FATF.
Nigeria’s inclusion on the FATF Grey List in previous years had subjected its financial system to increased monitoring and scrutiny from global regulators and international banking institutions, leading to stricter compliance measures for cross-border transactions.
With the delisting, experts say Nigeria’s financial credibility will be strengthened, potentially leading to enhanced trade relationships, easier access to global financial systems, and renewed investor confidence.
The governors’ forum pledged to support ongoing fiscal reforms and strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms at the subnational level to sustain compliance with global financial governance standards.
“This achievement belongs to every Nigerian who believes in the country’s capacity to rise above challenges,” Governor AbdulRazaq stated. “It signals a new dawn of accountability, transparency, and shared prosperity.”
The FATF, an intergovernmental body established in 1989, sets international standards for combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and threats to the integrity of the global financial system.
Nigeria’s removal from the list marks a key diplomatic and economic win for the country, affirming the government’s progress in institutional reforms and financial oversight.
