Nigeria Advocates for Anti-Terror Financing Rules in Africa

The Nigerian government has called on African nations to adopt anti-terror financing rules for non-governmental organizations (NGOs), advocating for a risk-based approach to implement recommendations from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). This appeal was made on Wednesday in Abuja during the 3rd Africa High-Level Civil Society Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Financing of Terrorism Conference.

Ola Olukoyede, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, and Harri Erin, Director of the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering, emphasized that compliance with global anti-money laundering standards should strengthen institutions without hindering legitimate civil society activities. They clarified that FATF Recommendation 8 requires countries to identify non-profit organizations vulnerable to terrorist financing and apply proportionate risk-based measures.

Prof. Ben Saul, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism, commended Nigeria's progress and noted the importance of maintaining trust between civil society and the government.