Nigeria’s top financial intelligence agencies and regional partners have formally charged the media with leading public awareness efforts in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing, describing journalists as essential “watchdogs” and “amplifiers” of Nigeria’s AML/CFT drive.
The call came at the National AML/CFT Media Outreach Activities organised by the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) in collaboration with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Hafsat Bakari, told reporters, “Financial crime thrives in darkness, but accountability grows in the presence of informed public scrutiny.” She added: “That is why this engagement with the media is not merely a routine event, but a strategic partnership.”
The NFIU CEO warned that “the funds that move quietly through illicit channels often fuel organised crime, corruption, trafficking networks and violent extremism,” stressing that “when these financial flows go unnoticed or unexplained, they weaken institutions, distort economies and ultimately threaten national stability.”
She told journalists: “You serve as society’s interpreters of complex issues. You translate technical subjects, such as anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing and counter-proliferation financing, into information that citizens can understand and act upon. In many ways, the media is the bridge between the policy community and the public.”
Quoting American journalist Walter Lippmann, she said: “Where all think alike, no one thinks very much,” and explained, “The role of responsible journalism is therefore, not simply to repeat information, but to question, explain and illuminate. And in the fight against financial crime, that role is more important than ever.”
The summit unveiled plans to “institutionalise” collaboration by establishing dedicated AML/CFT media desk officers within participating media houses. “These desk officers will serve as focal points for reporting on financial crime issues and for maintaining continuous engagement with GIABA and national institutions,” the NFIU chief said. “In other words, today is not simply about information sharing. It is about institutionalising collaboration.”
She outlined what the media must do: “First, it raises awareness, helping citizens understand the risks posed by illicit financial flows. Second, it strengthens deterrence, because exposure increases the cost of wrongdoing. And third, it promotes accountability, ensuring institutions and actors remain transparent.”
Echoing Ida Wells, she said: “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” She then added: “In many respects, the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing follows the same principle: we trace the money so that hidden networks can no longer operate in the shadows.”
GIABA Director-General, Edwin Harris Jr, represented by Timothy Melaye, said: “Public awareness and understanding are indispensable in winning this fight.” He added, “Money laundering and terrorist financing remain significant threats to the status quo,” and explained, “This outreach is therefore aimed at equipping stakeholders with the necessary knowledge and tools to provide an informed and proactive response.”
Harris told the journalists: “The media plays a more strategic role as partners in safeguarding the integrity of our financial systems and national security.” He added that the event is designed to “demystify these financial activities and promote the AML/CFT framework” through legislative reforms and by targeting the economy of Nigeria and the West African sub-region as a whole.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), on its part, urged the media to deepen its investigative coverage of money laundering and terrorist financing, describing the press as the “Fourth Estate of the Realm with a sacred public trust.”
The Chairman of the ICPC, Musa Aliyu, represented by the Commission’s Head of Media, John Odey, warned that money laundering and terrorist financing “remain among the most destabilising threats to our economic systems, our national security and our democratic institutions,” stating: “Their corrosive effects erode public trust, undermine governance, distort markets and ultimately deprive citizens of the resources required for sustainable development. In a region as dynamic and interconnected as West Africa, the imperative to strengthen our collective response has never been more urgent. And what makes this challenge particularly formidable is the fact that financial crime does not stand still. It adapts. It innovates. It exploits every new frontier that technology opens.”
On the digital dimension, Aliyu said: “The advent of the internet, social media and artificial intelligence has dramatically altered the landscape of financial crime. Criminals now launder proceeds across jurisdictions at the click of a button. They radicalise and fund extremist networks through anonymous online channels. They deploy sophisticated cyber-enabled fraud schemes that target unsuspecting citizens across the length and breadth of our country. The speed and anonymity that digital technologies afford have made detection far more challenging and the stakes considerably higher.”
Yet he also saw opportunity: “But I want to make an important point here. These same technologies, in the right hands, present extraordinary opportunities for us to be several steps ahead of what I will call the crime curve. We do not have to be perpetually on the back foot. And it is in this regard that I wish to commend the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit for its deployment of advanced analytics, artificial intelligence and real-time transaction monitoring systems to detect suspicious financial flows with greater precision and speed. This is exactly the kind of forward-looking, technology-driven approach that must define our collective response to crime in the twenty-first century. We must not merely react to the crime curve. We must anticipate it. And we must reshape it.”
The ICPC boss placed the media at the heart of the fight: “It is against this backdrop that the role of the media assumes singular importance. The media is rightly regarded as the Fourth Estate of the Realm. It is a cornerstone of democratic governance and one of the most powerful checks on the abuse of power that any society can possess. Beyond the three arms of government, the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary, it is the media that shines a light on the dark corners where corruption festers. It is the media that gives voice to the voiceless. And it is the media that holds the powerful accountable to the people they are meant to serve. That is not merely a professional obligation. It is a sacred public trust.”
He underlined the agency of the Fourth Estate: “The contribution of the media to the fight against corruption and financial crime is both multidimensional and indispensable. At the most fundamental level, the media serves as an amplifier for the work of anti-graft and law enforcement agencies. When media organisations faithfully report on investigations, prosecutions, convictions and asset recoveries, they send a powerful message to the public that corruption carries real consequences and that no one is above the law.”
Odey warned that reporting alone is not enough: “But the media’s role extends well beyond reporting. The media bears a profound responsibility for behavioural change communication. Whether through our legacy platforms of television, radio and print, or through the new media channels of social media, podcasts, online news portals and digital content creation, the media has an unrivalled capacity to shape norms, values and attitudes across our society.”
He urged: “Content on our airwaves and digital platforms must go beyond mere information delivery. It must be intentionally crafted to ingrain anti-corruption ideals and financial integrity values into the consciousness of Nigerian citizens from the earliest age. Investigative journalism that exposes illicit financial flows, editorial positions that champion transparency, and public interest programming that educate citizens on their rights and on the consequences of corruption are the instruments through which the media can drive lasting and generational cultural change.”
His final appeal was direct: “I call on all media professionals present today to rise to this moment. Report on financial crimes with diligence, accuracy and courage. Use every platform at your disposal, on legacy media and new media alike, to educate your audiences, to amplify the work of law enforcement agencies and to champion the cause of financial integrity. Protect and celebrate those who blow the whistle on corruption. And serve as the vigilant Fourth Estate that our democracy requires and that our citizens deserve.”
He concluded with a vision: “Together, as institutions, as the media and as citizens, we shall build a society where financial integrity is not the exception but the rule, where the proceeds of crime find no safe harbour and where the Fourth Estate stands tall as an enduring guardian of the public good.”
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on his part urged the media to step up its role as a driving force for transparency and accountability in the fight against corruption, money laundering and terrorist financing.
Represented by Dili Ezughah, he told journalists that “the media is not just society’s watchdog; it is a powerful voice that shapes perception, accountability and direction.”
She added: “In the fight against corruption, the media’s place is central. Through accurate reporting, investigation and sustained enlightenment, the media helps citizens grasp the importance of transparency and accountability. An informed society is an empowered society and without public awareness the fight against corruption cannot be won.”
Ezughah highlighted the government’s actions: “Beyond commitment, the present administration has given deliberate and concrete measures to address corruption and financial activities. Nigeria has developed a significant financial intelligence architecture through the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, proving its commitment to handling suspicious transactions and complying with international AML/CFT standards. We have strengthened inter-agency collaboration, ensuring that institutions work together in a harmonised and efficient manner.”
On the need for media–government partnership, she said: “Going forward, we must strengthen collaboration between government institutions and the media. We must invest in training and capacity building in specialised areas of financial crime reporting. We must ensure kind and reliable access to accurate information. The Ministry of Information and National Orientation is committed to continuing to support the media in this vital role.”
He concluded: “Media cannot do it alone. Together, we can build a Nigeria where transparency is home, accountability is demanded and corruption has no place.”
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbami, represented by Assistant Solicitor General, Olubunmi Ikupolati, urged the media to actively expose money laundering and terrorist financing, describing the press as essential partners in safeguarding Nigeria’s financial system and national security.
He acknowledged the critical role the media plays in shaping public understanding, influencing perception, and driving national discourse. “In the context of AML/CFT, the media plays a more strategic role—not only as disseminators of information but as partners in safeguarding the integrity of our financial system and national security.”
Fagbemi warned that “money laundering and terrorist financing remain significant threats to the stability of our economy and that of the West African sub-region as a whole. The credibility of our institutions and the safety of our citizens are also at stake. These crimes are often complex, transnational, and constantly evolving, requiring a coordinated, informed, and proactive response from all stakeholders.”
Highlighting the government’s commitment, he said: “The Federal Government of Nigeria has, over the years, demonstrated unwavering commitment to strengthening its AML/CFT framework through legislative reforms, institutional capacity building, regional and international collaboration, as well as enhanced inter-agency partnership. We continue to align with global standards and best practices. However, beyond laws and enforcement mechanisms, public awareness and understanding are indispensable in winning this fight.”
He added: “We must collectively work to demystify technical concepts, expose illicit financial activities, and promote a culture of transparency and accountability. When the public is well-informed, it becomes more difficult for criminal networks to operate undetected. I urge you, therefore, to take full advantage of this media outreach and engage actively, ask questions, and share insights. Your contributions are vital in amplifying the message and ensuring that our collective efforts yield meaningful results.”
He concluded by reaffirming the commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria to continue working closely with all partners in strengthening Nigeria’s resilience against financial crimes. “Together, we can build a more transparent, accountable, and secure nation.”
