Nigeria has received global recognition for its efforts in combating financial crimes, winning the prestigious UNODC-World Bank-Egmont Group Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) Initiative Award for an outstanding financial crime investigation.
The award was presented during the 32nd Egmont Group Plenary of Heads of Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) held in Baku, Azerbaijan, in recognition of the successful collaboration between the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
While announcing the achievement in a statement issued in Abuja, the chief executive officer of the NFIU, Hafsat Bakari said the award honours excellence in financial crime investigations, innovation, operational effectiveness, international cooperation and measurable impact in the fight against money laundering and related financial crimes.
She noted that the recognition was earned through a major financial crime investigation in which intelligence generated by the NFIU significantly strengthened investigations conducted by the EFCC.
Bakari further explained that timely financial intelligence, professional analysis and effective international cooperation contributed to successful asset recovery and enforcement actions, leading to the global recognition.
She described the StAR Initiative Award as one of the highest operational honours in the international financial intelligence community, noting that it is reserved for cases where financial intelligence plays a critical role in disrupting illicit financial networks, advancing investigations and promoting cross-border cooperation.
She said the award affirms the growing professionalism and effectiveness of Nigeria’s financial intelligence system and reflects the country’s increasing contribution to the global fight against money laundering, terrorism financing and other serious financial crimes.
Bakari commended the Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, for fostering strong inter-agency collaboration and praised officers of both organisations for their dedication and professionalism.
“The partnership between the NFIU and the EFCC demonstrates what institutions can achieve through shared purpose,” she said.
She also congratulated NFIU personnel and reporting entities whose timely financial reports supported intelligence operations, adding that the recognition would further strengthen Nigeria’s commitment to intelligence-led investigations and international partnerships.
