A coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs), government agencies, and international development partners has committed to a unified “whole-of-society” approach to dismantle the networks of Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) draining Nigeria’s economy.
The commitment follows the public presentation and validation of the “Research Report on the Assessment of Nigeria’s Legal and Institutional Framework for Addressing IFFs,” held in Abuja on May 14, 2026. The event was organized by the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) under its EU-supported initiative, “Strengthening CSOs and Media Capacity to Contribute to the Fight Against Illicit Financial Flows in Nigeria.
In his opening remarks, ANEEJ Executive Director David Ugolor underscored the urgency of the report, noting that IFFs continue to siphoning off resources essential for healthcare, education, and poverty alleviation.
While acknowledging the existence of agencies like the EFCC, ICPC, and the Nigeria Revenue Service, Ugolor highlighted persistent gaps in enforcement and inter-agency coordination. He urged for a shift from diagnosis to the implementation of practical solutions.
The research is part of the SecFin Africa Program, a €46.5 million initiative funded by the European Union, Germany, and France. Representing the program, Prof. Abdullahi Shehu praised ANEEJ’s initiative for providing the necessary reference materials to empower civil society to engage constructively with the government.
Similarly, Anicatus Atakpu, Program Manager for the British High Commission, emphasized that Nigeria’s challenge lies not in a lack of frameworks, but in their effective implementation and accountability.
High-ranking officials from Nigeria’s security and legal sectors offered strong endorsements of the report
Representing the Inspector General of Police, AIG CP Aremu Bamidale Silas identified IFFs as a premier threat to developing economies, calling for technological innovation and better intelligence sharing.
While the Code of Conduct Bureau representative(CCB): Barr. Munirah Elabor stated the research findings would act as a catalyst for national anti-corruption reforms and ethical standards in public administration.
Representatives from the EFCC ,Wananje Gwatana and the ICPC ,Omiko Samson noted that IFFs distort government priorities and weaken the capacity of the state to serve its citizens.
Beyond policy review, the project aims to produce tangible results on the ground. Leo Atakpu, Deputy Executive Director of ANEEJ, revealed that the initiative will build the capacity of 90 CSOs and 75 investigative journalists across Nigeria. This effort is designed to increase public awareness and ensure transparency in the management of recovered assets.
The Federal Ministry of Justice, represented by Mr. Ikuetimi Pere, described ANEEJ as an “omnipresent partner” in the nation’s anti-corruption journey, reaffirming the ministry’s support for the research recommendations to improve current laws.
The validation session concluded with a consensus among stakeholders that effective law enforcement must be paired with ongoing citizen engagement. The meeting served as a powerful reminder that while the legal frameworks are being refined, the ultimate success in the fight against illicit finance depends on the seamless collaboration of every sector of Nigerian society.
