The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has created a new compliance department as part of its reforms to improve supervision in the country’s financial system.
In a circular released on Thursday, the apex bank said the unit was established in the first quarter of 2025 and became fully operational in the second quarter. According to the CBN, the department is designed to tighten oversight of non-prudential risks while reinforcing regulatory effectiveness.
The new compliance arm will focus on four major areas:
- Financial crime supervision, covering anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism financing, proliferation financing, and sanctions compliance.
- Market conduct supervision, which includes disclosure standards, complaint handling, and advertising practices.
- Enterprise security supervision, with a focus on cybersecurity, data protection, and third-party risk management.
- Corporate governance and ESG oversight, monitoring board effectiveness and compliance with environmental, social, and governance standards.
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The regulator said all correspondence, regulatory reports, and inquiries related to these areas should now be directed to the Director of Compliance through official channels. Financial institutions will also receive further guidance on points of contact and submission procedures.
The CBN added that the reform is part of its broader strategy to consolidate supervisory responsibilities and ensure the financial sector meets global compliance standards.
It called on banks and other regulated institutions to cooperate fully during the transition, stressing that strong compliance practices remain central to the stability of Nigeria’s financial system.
