Nigeria has been honored with a prestigious international award for its collaborative efforts in financial intelligence through the National Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The recognition comes from the UNODC-World Bank-Egmont Group Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) Initiative, which celebrates nations demonstrating excellence in combating illicit finance.

This achievement follows Nigeria's successful exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in October 2025, marking a significant turnaround in its global financial credibility.

The award underscores Nigeria's strengthened anti-money laundering framework and growing influence in international efforts to track and recover stolen assets.

Key officials, including NFIU Director General Hajia Fatima Bwala, highlighted the importance of inter-agency cooperation and technology-driven approaches in addressing transnational financial crimes.

The recognition also positions Nigeria as a leader in shaping global responses to illicit finance, with experts noting that the award validates recent reforms to enhance financial system transparency and accountability.