CBN Introduces New Guidelines to Combat Money Laundering

On March 10, 2026, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) released new guidelines to enhance the fight against money laundering. The regulations mandate that financial institutions deploy automated anti-money laundering (AML) systems capable of detecting suspicious financial transactions across the country.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve compliance with existing financial crime laws and to ensure that institutions utilize modern technology to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism. The guidelines were announced by Dr. Akinwunmi Olubukola and Olubunmi Ayodel Oni, directors in the bank's supervisory and compliance departments, respectively.

The new standards provide a framework for institutions to implement automated solutions that can monitor transactions, screen for sanctions, and assess risks in real-time. This move is intended to strengthen the overall management of financial crime risks in Nigeria's increasingly digital financial system.