In response to the growing concern of non-profit organizations (NPOs) inadvertently contributing to global insecurity through the funding of terrorist activities, a comprehensive two-day workshop was has conducted in North Central Nigeria.
The event aimed to equip NPOs with the knowledge and tools necessary to mitigate terrorist financing risks and safeguard against potential exploitation.
Victoria Ohaeri, the Executive Director of Spaces for Change, shed light on the necessity of the workshop. She emphasized the need for a tailored approach, considering the diverse challenges faced by NPOs operating in the region. The workshop brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from various non-profit organizations, government agencies, and financial institutions.
One of the focal points of the workshop was the dissemination of findings from the terrorist-financing National Risk Assessment (NRA) specific to the NPO sector in Nigeria. The assessment was conducted by the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML), a unit operating under the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Referencing Recommendation 8 (2015) of the Financial Action Task Force, titled “Combating the Abuse of Non-Profit Organizations,” the workshop highlighted measures that can be implemented in cases where terrorist abuse within the NPO sector is identified. These measures range from regulatory and administrative actions to targeted financial sanctions, criminal investigations, or other appropriate responses. The emphasis was on ensuring a proportionate response to the terrorist financing risk and specific threats faced by the country.
The workshop underscored the international community’s commitment to combating money laundering and terrorism financing. It emphasized overarching goals, including protecting the integrity and stability of the international financial system, cutting off resources available to terrorists, and making it more difficult for those engaged in criminal activities to profit from their actions.
As the international community continues to prioritize the fight against terrorism financing, workshops and initiatives such as this play a crucial role in fostering collaboration and equipping NPOs with the knowledge and tools necessary to contribute to global security and stability. The outcomes of the workshop are expected to guide future policies and practices in the region’s NPO sector, aligning them with international standards in the ongoing battle against terrorism