The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has described Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List and the European Union’s intention to delist the country from its high-risk third countries register as a major boost to confidence in the nation’s financial system.

On the heels of the cheery news, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and Abu Dhabi Ports Group have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation in ports development, maritime logistics, and digital transformation.

Senator Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East), on his part, said Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu’s administration is gradually recovering from economic hardship occasioned by fuel subsidy removal and naira devaluation.

NFIU also commended government institutions, the private sector and civil society organisations for their roles in recording the achievements. In a statement yesterday in Abuja, the Chief Executive Officer of NFIU, Hafsat Bakari, said the decisions by the FATF and the EU demonstrated the credibility and depth of Nigeria’s reforms in the fight against illicit finance, noting that the progress reflected a coordinated effort across government and society.

“Nigeria’s exit from the FATF Grey List and the EU’s high-risk third country list reflects the strength of our collective resolve and the effectiveness of sustained, coordinated reforms. This milestone underscores our commitment to upholding global standards on anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing and counter-proliferation financing, while reinforcing international confidence in Nigeria’s financial system,” Ms Bakari said.

She attributed the achievement to a “whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach” to building stronger safeguards against financial crimes, extending appreciation to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the legislature, the judiciary, the private sector and non-profit organisations whose joint actions contributed to the outcome.

Bakari said the success was guided by the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, noting that his administration’s commitment to building a safe and prosperous Nigeria provided the political backing needed to sustain reforms across key sectors.

According to the NFIU, strategic oversight was delivered through the Inter-Ministerial Committee on AML/CFT/CPF, led by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, alongside the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, the Minister of Interior and the Minister of State for Finance.

The committee, the statement said, ensured policy coherence and maintained momentum throughout the reform process.The maritime agreement, signed on the sidelines of the recent Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), marks a major milestone in Nigeria–UAE economic relations and underscores both nations’ commitment to advancing mutual trade and investment interests.

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, led the Nigerian delegation, while the chairman of Abu Dhabi Ports Group, H.E. Mohamed Hassan, represented the Group’s management team. The Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola, was also in attendance.

According to a statement issued by the Deputy Director and Head of Public Relations at NIMASA, Osagie Edward, the MoU “forms part of broader trade and investment engagements between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates.”

Following the signing, the Nigerian delegation briefed Tinubu on the strategic importance of the partnership, which is expected to catalyse growth in Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy sectors.

SPEAKING at the Annual Family Thanksgiving yesterday at Abraham Tabernacle, Sagamu, Ogun State, Daniel, who lauded Tinubu over his bold steps on economic reforms, including the floatation of naira, subsidy removal and efforts in tackling insecurity, said that through the reforms, the nation is gradually getting better.

The former governor of Ogun expressed regret that Nigerians were fond of criticising government and calling politicians liars and thieves, especially when elections are around the corner, stressing that not all the politicians were corrupt, as some of them still follow the path of the late premier of western region, Obafemi Awolowo.