ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigeria Customs Service has described Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list on Oct. 24, 2025, as a major national achievement and pledged to sustain the gains.

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‎The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, stated this on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, at a stocktaking meeting held at the Customs headquarters in Abuja ahead of Nigeria’s next Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism mutual evaluation.

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‎Adeniyi was represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Finance, Administration and Technical Services, Kikelomo Adeola.

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‎Adeola said the meeting was more than an assessment of policies, describing it as a crucial assignment to chart the way forward.

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‎“It is an opportunity to take an honest look at the progress Nigeria has made, identify gaps and ensure achievements are sustained, because if they are not, it is like one step forward, two steps backwards,” she said.

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‎She commended the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit for its programmes, including the stocktaking exercise, aimed at making Nigeria’s preparation for the third mutual evaluation smooth and successful.

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‎“I believe Nigeria will never go back to that grey list,” she said.

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‎Adeola said the Customs Service plays a strategic role in facilitating legitimate trade across borders but cannot succeed alone.

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‎Speaking at the session, the Chief Executive Officer of the NFIU, Hafsat Abubakar, represented by the Chief Operations Officer, Law Enforcement Support and Coordination, Emmanuel Sotande, thanked the Customs Service for its support.

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‎He said the stocktaking was an opportunity to assess progress, identify gaps and strengthen collective readiness for the next evaluation.

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‎“Nigeria’s exit from the FATF grey list in October 2025 was a significant achievement that we all achieved by working together,” Sotande said. He added that the task now is to sustain progress and demonstrate lasting effectiveness.

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‎He said the role of Customs in anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing and counter-proliferation goes beyond revenue collection and border enforcement.

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‎“Customs plays a vital role in detecting suspicious transactions and activities across borders,” he said.

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‎He explained that Customs’ access to trade records, import and export documentation, cargo information and border intelligence complements the financial intelligence gathered by the NFIU.

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‎“When these capabilities are effectively connected through timely information sharing and coordinated action, we are better positioned to identify suspicious networks, trace illicit proceeds and support appropriate enforcement measures,” he said.