Nigeria’s Exit from FATF Grey List Sparks Fresh Wave of Investor Confidence — SEC DG Hails Landmark Milestone
The Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, has described Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list as a major turning point for the nation’s financial system — one that will reignite investor confidence, attract foreign capital, and deepen the country’s capital market growth.
A Major Global Endorsement for Nigeria
The FATF, a global watchdog for combating money laundering and terrorism financing, recently delisted Nigeria from the group of countries identified as having “strategic deficiencies” in their anti-financial crime systems.
This delisting, Dr. Agama explained, is not just a symbolic victory — it is a global endorsement of Nigeria’s renewed commitment to transparency, accountability, and sound financial governance.
According to him, the decision by FATF sends a strong positive signal to both local and international investors, showing that Nigeria has taken concrete steps to strengthen its regulatory and institutional frameworks.
Boost for Investor Confidence and Capital Inflows
Investor confidence — long seen as the heartbeat of capital market growth — is now expected to surge.
With the FATF development, Nigeria is projected to attract greater foreign direct investments (FDI) and portfolio inflows, particularly from institutions that had previously adopted a “wait-and-see” approach due to compliance concerns.
Dr. Agama emphasized that this newfound credibility will:
• Encourage foreign investors to re-enter the Nigerian market
• Stimulate domestic participation in the capital market
• Enhance market liquidity and depth
• Support the national economic reform agenda ⚙️
He noted that the FATF delisting represents a “welcome call to new investments,” capable of spurring productivity, innovation, and sustainable national growth.
Nigeria’s Path to Reform — The 19-Point Action Plan
Nigeria’s removal from the grey list was not accidental.
Dr. Agama revealed that the country’s progress stemmed from a comprehensive 19-point action plan developed in response to FATF’s recommendations.
This plan, implemented over a two-year period, involved extensive reforms across the financial and regulatory ecosystem, aimed at improving systems for combating money laundering and terrorism financing.
He highlighted that the FATF’s final decision followed rigorous evaluation and monitoring, during which Nigeria demonstrated measurable progress and institutional integrity.
A Team Effort Behind the Success
Dr. Agama lauded the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) for its pivotal role in leading the reform process.
He praised Mrs. Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, the Director and CEO of the NFIU, and her team for their professionalism, diligence, and leadership in coordinating Nigeria’s action plan — a performance that earned global recognition.
He also acknowledged the collaborative efforts of several government figures, including:
• The National Security Adviser (NSA)
• The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF)
• Relevant ministers and institutional heads
Their collective input, he said, was instrumental in securing Nigeria’s successful delisting.
A New Era for Nigeria’s Capital Market
The SEC boss stressed that this milestone marks the beginning of a new era for Nigeria’s financial markets — one characterized by credibility, resilience, and renewed investor trust.
With the FATF barrier lifted, Nigeria can now benefit from:
• Increased cross-border partnerships
• Stronger institutional reputation globally
• Easier access to international financing
• Greater confidence from global rating agencies ⭐
Dr. Agama concluded by reaffirming SEC’s commitment to sustaining reforms that ensure financial integrity, investor protection, and market transparency — the cornerstones of a thriving economy.
⚡ In Summary
Nigeria’s removal from the FATF grey list is more than a regulatory milestone — it’s a vote of confidence from the global financial community.
It reinforces the message that Nigeria is open for business, ready for responsible investment, and committed to upholding international standards of financial governance.
Investor takeaway: Stronger credibility → higher confidence → greater capital inflows → a more vibrant market.
The Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, has described Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list as a major turning point for the nation’s financial system — one that will reignite investor confidence, attract foreign capital, and deepen the country’s capital market growth.
A Major Global Endorsement for Nigeria
The FATF, a global watchdog for combating money laundering and terrorism financing, recently delisted Nigeria from the group of countries identified as having “strategic deficiencies” in their anti-financial crime systems.
This delisting, Dr. Agama explained, is not just a symbolic victory — it is a global endorsement of Nigeria’s renewed commitment to transparency, accountability, and sound financial governance.
According to him, the decision by FATF sends a strong positive signal to both local and international investors, showing that Nigeria has taken concrete steps to strengthen its regulatory and institutional frameworks.
Boost for Investor Confidence and Capital Inflows
Investor confidence — long seen as the heartbeat of capital market growth — is now expected to surge.
With the FATF development, Nigeria is projected to attract greater foreign direct investments (FDI) and portfolio inflows, particularly from institutions that had previously adopted a “wait-and-see” approach due to compliance concerns.
Dr. Agama emphasized that this newfound credibility will:
• Encourage foreign investors to re-enter the Nigerian market
• Stimulate domestic participation in the capital market
• Enhance market liquidity and depth
• Support the national economic reform agenda ⚙️
He noted that the FATF delisting represents a “welcome call to new investments,” capable of spurring productivity, innovation, and sustainable national growth.
Nigeria’s Path to Reform — The 19-Point Action Plan
Nigeria’s removal from the grey list was not accidental.
Dr. Agama revealed that the country’s progress stemmed from a comprehensive 19-point action plan developed in response to FATF’s recommendations.
This plan, implemented over a two-year period, involved extensive reforms across the financial and regulatory ecosystem, aimed at improving systems for combating money laundering and terrorism financing.
He highlighted that the FATF’s final decision followed rigorous evaluation and monitoring, during which Nigeria demonstrated measurable progress and institutional integrity.
A Team Effort Behind the Success
Dr. Agama lauded the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) for its pivotal role in leading the reform process.
He praised Mrs. Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, the Director and CEO of the NFIU, and her team for their professionalism, diligence, and leadership in coordinating Nigeria’s action plan — a performance that earned global recognition.
He also acknowledged the collaborative efforts of several government figures, including:
• The National Security Adviser (NSA)
• The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF)
• Relevant ministers and institutional heads
Their collective input, he said, was instrumental in securing Nigeria’s successful delisting.
A New Era for Nigeria’s Capital Market
The SEC boss stressed that this milestone marks the beginning of a new era for Nigeria’s financial markets — one characterized by credibility, resilience, and renewed investor trust.
With the FATF barrier lifted, Nigeria can now benefit from:
• Increased cross-border partnerships
• Stronger institutional reputation globally
• Easier access to international financing
• Greater confidence from global rating agencies ⭐
Dr. Agama concluded by reaffirming SEC’s commitment to sustaining reforms that ensure financial integrity, investor protection, and market transparency — the cornerstones of a thriving economy.
⚡ In Summary
Nigeria’s removal from the FATF grey list is more than a regulatory milestone — it’s a vote of confidence from the global financial community.
It reinforces the message that Nigeria is open for business, ready for responsible investment, and committed to upholding international standards of financial governance.
Investor takeaway: Stronger credibility → higher confidence → greater capital inflows → a more vibrant market.