President Tinubu Appoints Hafsat Bakari as New NFIU Director

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of a new Director and Chief Executive Officer for the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

The chosen candidate is Hafsat ABubakar Bakari, a former Deputy Director in the NFIU and a lawyer with extensive experience in the field of financial intelligence.

Bakari’s appointment was announced by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on February 21, 2024.

She will serve in an acting capacity until her confirmation by the Senate. As a financial intelligence expert, Bakari has years of experience in anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, and counter-proliferation financing.

Prior to her appointment as the NFIU head, Bakari held various positions at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

These roles include Head of the General Services Unit, Head of the Strategy and Reorientation Unit, and Head of the Board Secretariat.

President Tinubu anticipates that Bakari’s wealth of experience and expertise will be a valuable asset in her new role.

This appointment comes as a part of the administration’s commitment to combating illicit financial flows and other sharp practices in the foreign exchange markets.

The appointment of Hafsat Bakari as the new Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NFIU showcases President Tinubu’s dedication to addressing financial crime and enhancing the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system.