CBN Establishes Compliance Department to Strengthen Regulatory Oversight

CBN has established compliance department to strengthen regulatory oversight.

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has formally launched a dedicated Compliance Department, a major step in its ongoing efforts to enhance regulatory effectiveness and streamline supervisory responsibilities.

According to a circular signed by Olubunmi Ayodele-Oni, the department was created in the first quarter of 2025 and became fully operational in the second quarter. The initiative is part of broader structural reforms aimed at consolidating oversight functions, clarifying institutional roles, and ensuring focused supervision of non-prudential and emerging risks.

ALSO: President Tinubu Approves N1.85 Billion Intervention for Rescued Chibok Girls’ Education and Rehabilitation

Key Focus Areas of the Compliance Department

The new department will oversee:

• Financial Crime Supervision – covering Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter Financing of Terrorism (CFT), Counter-Proliferation Financing (CPF), and sanctions compliance

• Market Conduct Supervision – including disclosure practices, complaints management, and advertising standards

• Enterprise Security Supervision – focusing on cybersecurity, data protection, and third-party risk management

• Corporate Governance and ESG Supervision – emphasizing board effectiveness and environmental, social, and governance oversight

Directives to Regulated Financial Institutions

 

The CBN has instructed all regulated financial institutions to direct reports, correspondence, and inquiries relating to these areas to the Director of the Compliance Department through designated communication channels. Detailed guidance on points of contact and submission procedures will be provided by the department.

“The establishment of the Compliance Department is a strategic move to embed regulatory discipline and ensure robust oversight of non-prudential risks,” the circular stated. The CBN reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with financial institutions to ensure a smooth transition and uphold the highest standards of compliance.

Rising Financial Fraud Cases

 

In July, the CBN raised concerns over a 45% surge in financial fraud over the past year, with 70% of losses linked to digital channels, particularly unregulated virtual asset platforms. The findings were presented by Deputy Governor for Economic Policy, Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, on behalf of CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso, during a public lecture organized by the EFCC.

While digital innovation has expanded financial inclusion, Cardoso noted, it has also introduced complex regulatory and security challenges, underscoring the need for enhanced oversight.

Additional Regulatory Updates

 

The CBN recently mandated all participants in Nigeria’s payment ecosystem to migrate to the ISO 20022 messaging standard and implement mandatory geo-tagging of payment terminals by October 31, 2025. The directive affects Deposit Money Banks, Microfinance Banks, Mobile Money Operators, Switching and Processing Companies, Payment Terminal Service Providers, Payment Solution Service Providers, Super Agents, and other licensed operators.

The move aligns Nigeria’s payment systems with global standards, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and security in financial transactions.