Over 100 terrorist financiers prosecuted in two years- Tinubu

 Tinubu: Over 100 Terrorist Financiers Convicted in Two Years

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to dismantling the financial networks sustaining terrorism in Nigeria. According to him, more than 100 individuals involved in funding terrorist activities have been convicted over the past two years.

Speaking on Tuesday at the 2025 National Anti-Money Laundering, Counter-Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation (AML/CFT/CPF) Summit in Abuja, Tinubu—represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume—emphasized that cutting off financial support to terrorist organizations is a critical strategy in the fight against insecurity.

Targeting Terrorist Financiers

“We have made significant progress in combating terrorism and violent crimes through the dedication of our security forces,” Tinubu stated. “However, beyond military action, we are also aggressively identifying and prosecuting those who provide financial support to these groups. Thanks to the efforts of the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Attorney-General of the Federation, we have successfully prosecuted and convicted over 100 terrorist financiers within the last two years.”

He stressed that by dismantling the financial structure of groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP, the government is preventing them from sustaining their attacks on communities.

Role of the Private Sector in Combating Financial Crimes

The president also highlighted the crucial role of lawyers, accountants, and financial institutions in safeguarding Nigeria’s economy against illicit financial flows.

“As key stakeholders, our banks, capital market firms, legal professionals, and accountants serve as the first line of defense against money laundering and terrorist financing,” Tinubu noted.

Concerns Over Nigeria’s Greylisting

Tinubu acknowledged the greylisting of Nigeria in February 2023, which has had negative economic and reputational consequences for the country. He emphasized that the government remains committed to implementing necessary reforms to remove Nigeria from the list.

“The inclusion of Nigeria on this list has serious implications, but we are working to address the identified deficiencies,” he assured. “With leadership from the Attorney-General, the Minister of Finance, and the Minister of Interior, alongside the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), we have made substantial progress in executing an Action Plan to rectify the situation.”

Call for Stronger Collaboration

Hafsat Bakari, the CEO of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), reinforced the need for a collaborative approach in the fight against financial crimes.

“No single entity can win this fight alone,” Bakari stated. “It requires the combined efforts of political leaders, financial regulators, law enforcement agencies, and international partners. Only through strong cooperation can we effectively mitigate risks and secure our financial system.”