Banking & Finance

Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022

Modernised AML regime — creates the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering, broadens DNFBP coverage to lawyers, accountants, real-estate.

Signed
2022-05-12
Status
In force

1 Background

The MLPPA repealed the 2011 Money Laundering Act. It established the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) as a dedicated supervisor for Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs), expanded DNFBP coverage to include lawyers, accountants, real estate firms, jewellers and car dealers, and aligned reporting thresholds with FATF standards. It also created the legal framework Nigeria needed for the FATF grey-list exit (achieved 2025).

2 Key provisions (5)

01
SCUML formally established under EFCC
02
DNFBP coverage broadened: lawyers, accountants, real estate, jewellers, car dealers
03
Reporting thresholds aligned with FATF (₦5M individual / ₦10M corporate cash transactions)
04
Customer Due Diligence (CDD) mandatory for all DNFBPs
05
Beneficial ownership transparency required

3 What changed in practice

Nigeria removed from FATF grey list 2025 partly thanks to this Act
CAC Beneficial Ownership Register operational since 2023
Several lawyers and estate agents prosecuted under new DNFBP rules

4 Who it affects

LawyersAccountantsReal-estate firmsCar dealersBanksCrypto exchanges

5 What it repealed / replaced

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