NFIU Reports 28.13M PEPs in 2025, Up 31% from 2024

The Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) reported that it received 28.13 million reports on politically exposed persons (PEPs) in 2025, marking a 31% increase from the 21,466,288 reports recorded in 2024. PEPs include individuals in significant public roles, such as heads of state and senior politicians, who are considered at higher risk for financial crimes like bribery and corruption, according to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

The NFIU's report indicates that Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) submitted the majority of these reports, with 7,263,557 in the first quarter, 5,658,079 in the second, 6,235,585 in the third, and 8,225,572 in the fourth quarter. Other Financial Institutions also saw a notable increase, reporting just 12 PEP reports in the first quarter, rising to 617,286 in the fourth quarter.

The report underscores the importance of transaction monitoring and customer due diligence in Nigeria's financial sector, particularly concerning individuals in prominent public positions.