Nile University hosted the 4th Annual Public Lecture on anti-money laundering regimes by the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) on November 2nd, 2021. The event was graced by dignitaries such as Mr. Modibbo Hamman Tukur (Director, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit and GIABA National Correspondent), Justice Kimelabalou Aba (DG, GIABA), Prof. Osman Nuri Aras (Vice-Chancellor, Nile University of Nigeria), Professor Bolaji Owasanoye (Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC), Mr. Abdurasheed Bawa (Chairman, EFCC), Dr. Sirajo Yakubu (HoD, Public & International Law, Nile University of Nigeria, and Expert in Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism), Mr. Timothy Melaye (Information Manager, GIABA), Assoc. Prof. Gylych Jelilov (Dean, Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, Nile University of Nigeria), to name a few.
The event started with a remark by the moderator, Mr. Melaye, who described Nile University as an institution that has directly and positively impacted thousands of students and Nigeria as a whole through education. In his opening address, Justice Kimelabalou Aba, represented by Mr. Muazu Umar, Director of Policy and Research of GIABA, described the public lecture as a golden opportunity to strengthen GIABA’s relationship with academic institutions in West Africa by equipping them with the necessary information to help their students protect themselves from being used as money launderers by criminals. According to him, the crime of money laundering has negatively affected many African countries, including Nigeria, and requires the intervention of the government to curb it. This, he continued, is why GIABA was established.
Nile University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Osman Aras, in his speech, highlighted the importance of exposing youths to the dangers of money laundering early. He stated that Nile University has always strived to instill good character in students as they are the leaders of the future. The GIABA lecture which is aimed at raising awareness against the ills of economic and financial crimes, particularly money laundering and terrorist financing, is in line with this objective and an effective way of protecting the younger generation from crime and, consequently, improving the future of Nigeria, he concluded. After the opening ceremony three papers were presented as follows:
- Dr Sirajo Yakubu: The Vulnerabilities of Youths to ML/TF; Understanding and Applying the Preventive Measures;
- Professor Bolaji Owasanoye SAN: The Impact of Corruption and Financial Crimes on Regional Development in West Africa and The Way Forward;
- Abdurasheed Bawa: Milestones in the Fight against Corruption and Money Laundering in Nigeria.
