Nigeria has stepped up efforts to curb illicit financial flows following a five-day capacity-building workshop organised by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Ministry of Finance.
According to a statement released by the ECA on Wednesday, the Abuja-based workshop focused on improving Nigeria’s ability to identify and measure revenue losses arising from trade mis-invoicing.
The programme brought together officials from multiple government agencies, including customs, tax authorities, financial intelligence units, anti-corruption agencies, the central bank and statistical offices, reflecting a coordinated, inter-agency approach.
Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, warned that illicit financial flows pose a significant challenge to Nigeria’s economic independence, noting that under- and over-invoicing of trade transactions continues to deprive the country of vital development funds.
She said better use of customs data would not only protect government revenue but also improve compliance and bring Nigeria closer to international best practices in tackling illicit financial activity.
Permanent Secretary Raymond Omachi emphasised that reliable and accurate data remain central to addressing the problem, describing sound measurement as the foundation of effective policy decisions and public accountability.
The workshop introduced participants to specialised analytical tools such as the Partner Country Method Plus and Price Filter Method Plus, alongside risk-based audit approaches. These tools are designed to strengthen the estimation of trade-based illicit flows using import and export records.
ECA representative Allan Mukungu said the training built on earlier efforts supported by the commission and directly addressed previously identified weaknesses in capacity and data availability. He noted that participants carried out hands-on analysis using simulated and real datasets, with a focus on producing regular reports and practical policy recommendations.
Nigeria’s commitment to tackling illicit financial flows was further reaffirmed by Mr Idris Abdullahi, Coordinator of the Inter-agency Technical Working Group on IFFs, who highlighted ongoing efforts to overcome data challenges that hinder effective estimation and policy response.
