ANEEJ strengthens CSOs, journalists’ capacity to combat illicit financial flows

By Joy Baba-Yesufu

The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has intensified efforts to curb illicit financial flows (IFFs) in Nigeria by strengthening the capacity of civil society organisations (CSOs) and journalists to promote transparency, accountability and evidence-based advocacy.

The initiative formed part of separate two-day capacity-building workshops organised in Abuja under the European Union-supported SecFin Africa Project to equip key non-state actors with the knowledge and practical tools needed to expose financial crimes, influence public policy and strengthen accountability systems.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop for civil society organisations, ANEEJ Executive Director, Mr. David Ugolor, represented by the Deputy Executive Director, Mr. Leo Atakpu, described illicit financial flows as one of the greatest threats to Nigeria’s economic development, democratic governance and social justice.

According to him, corruption, tax evasion, trade misinvoicing, money laundering, procurement fraud, profit shifting and illegal asset transfers continue to deprive government of critical resources required for education, healthcare, infrastructure, security and poverty reduction.

Atakpu said the workshop was designed not merely as a training programme but as a platform for building a strong community of practice committed to transparency, accountability and democratic governance.

He expressed confidence that participants would leave with practical knowledge and action plans capable of driving advocacy initiatives within their organisations and networks.

“When public resources are stolen, hidden, mismanaged or transferred illegally across borders, citizens bear the consequences.

Children are denied quality education, hospitals lack essential equipment, roads remain undeveloped, poverty deepens and public trust in institutions declines,” he said.

He urged civil society organisations to intensify budget monitoring, track procurement processes, demand beneficial ownership transparency, engage anti-corruption and financial intelligence agencies constructively, and build sustainable coalitions capable of advancing reforms beyond project cycles.

Atakpu stressed that the impact of the training would ultimately be measured by the quality of advocacy campaigns, partnerships and citizen mobilisation undertaken after the workshop.

Addressing journalists at a parallel capacity-building programme, Mr Atakpu said the media occupies a strategic position in exposing hidden financial crimes through investigative journalism, data-driven reporting and sustained public-interest stories.

He urged journalists to verify facts diligently, protect confidential sources, distinguish allegations from proven offences and uphold the highest standards of professional ethics while reporting financial crimes.

“The success of this training will not be measured by attendance or certificates but by the quality of investigations, public awareness, policy conversations and accountability actions that follow,” he said.

The workshop featured presentations by leading experts in governance, financial crime investigations and investigative journalism.

A resource person and representative of the SecFin Africa Programme, Prof. Abdullahi Shehu, described illicit financial flows as funds illegally earned, transferred or utilised across borders, depriving countries of resources needed for sustainable development.

He urged journalists to deepen their understanding of the sources, channels and impact of illicit financial flows, noting that accurate, evidence-based reporting would strengthen public awareness and support national anti-corruption efforts.

Also speaking, the Editor-in-Chief and Chief Executive Officer of Premium Times, Mr. Musikilu Mojeed, encouraged journalists to embrace investigative reporting as a powerful tool for uncovering illicit financial schemes and promoting accountability.

According to him, participants examined practical case studies on procurement fraud, shell companies, tax evasion and other financial crimes capable of generating valuable intelligence for anti-corruption agencies.

Speaking after the workshop, ANEEJ Programme Officer, Mr. Innocent Edemhanria, said the training was organised to encourage greater media interest in reporting illicit financial flows and other financial crimes affecting Nigeria’s development.

He expressed confidence that the participants would produce more investigative reports capable of exposing illicit financial flows and promoting practical policy solutions.

The workshops brought together journalists and civil society organisations from across the country to deepen their understanding of illicit financial flows, investigative techniques, legal frameworks and the broader implications of financial crimes for governance and national development.

ANEEJ maintained that meaningful progress in combating illicit financial flows would require sustained collaboration among government institutions, civil society organisations, the media, citizens and development partners, stressing that collective action remains critical to safeguarding public resources and promoting inclusive development in Nigeria.