The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued a stark warning: Financial institutions that fail to screen against global sanction lists risk severe penalties, including fines, license suspension, or criminal prosecution. With Nigeria intensifying its fight against terrorism financing, money laundering, and illicit financial flows, compliance is no longer optional—it’s a survival imperative.
For commercial banks, fintechs, payment service banks (PSBs), and microfinance institutions (MFIs), this directive means one thing: Your sanction screening systems must be airtight, real-time, and audit-ready. Here’s what you need to know on the CBN update on sanctions screening—and how Youverify ensures you stay compliant effortlessly.
The CBN’s Updates on Sanction Screening Regulations
The CBN’s latest circular mandates all financial institutions to:
1. Screen Against Critical Lists:
- UN Consolidated Sanctions List (global terrorists, arms traffickers, etc.).
- The Nigerian Terrorism Sanctions List (domestic terror groups, Boko Haram financiers).
- Regional/International Lists (e.g., OFAC, EU, ECOWAS).
2. Review Existing Systems:
Ensure screening covers customers, transactions, and beneficiaries in real time.
3. Report to NFIU:
File Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) promptly for flagged entities.
Why Sanction Lists Checks Matters for Nigerian Financial Institutions
Nigeria remains a high-risk jurisdiction for financial crime. In 2023 alone:
- ₦6.2 trillion in illicit flows passed through Nigerian banks (NFIU Report).
- 14 banks were fined for AML breaches in Q1 2024.
The stakes are higher now:
- Terrorism Financing: Lax screening could inadvertently fund groups like ISWAP.
- International Pressure: FATF and GIABA are scrutinizing Nigeria’s AML frameworks.
- Regulatory Crackdowns: The CBN has vowed to “name and shame” non-compliant institutions.
How Youverify Ensures Instant Compliance with Sanction Screening (No Stress Required)
If you’re a Youverify customer, no action is needed—our sanction check is comprehensiveand periodically updated to cover all of CBN's requirements.
Here’s how we protect you:
1. Real-Time Sanction Screening
- Global List Coverage: Automatically screen against UN, Nigerian Terrorism, OFAC, EU, and 50+ lists—updated every 15 minutes.
- PEP & RCA Checks: Flag politically exposed persons (PEPs) and their close associates.
- Transaction Monitoring: Block payments to sanctioned entities, including shell companies and high-risk jurisdictions.
2. Automated NFIU Reporting
- One-Click SAR Generation: Export pre-formatted SAR drafts for NFIU submissions.
- Audit Trails: Maintain detailed logs of all screenings, decisions, and escalations.
3. CBN-Approved Risk Controls
- AI-Powered False Positive Reduction: Filter 90% of irrelevant alerts to focus on genuine risks.
- NIN/BVN Integration: Cross-check identities against Nigerian databases for added due diligence.
The Cost of Non-Compliance versus The Ease of Sanction Screening Compliance with Youverify
The Risks of Non‑Compliance with the sanction screening requirements far outweigh taking the right decision of complying with Youverify.
- Regulatory Penalties: The CBN can impose fines, restrict business activities, or even revoke licenses for serious breaches.
- Criminal Exposure: Individuals and entities could face prosecution under Nigerian anti‑terrorism and AML laws.
- Reputational Damage: A single sanctions‑breach headline can erode customer trust and investor confidence.
- Operational Disruption: Systems shutdowns, extended investigations, and remediation efforts can freeze day‑to‑day operations.
| Risk | With Manual | With Youverify |
| Penalties | Fines, Licence risks | Zero fines (Guaranteed Compliance) |
| Screening Speed | Hours per Alert | Real-time updates and decisions |
| NFIU Reporting | Error-prone, delayed | Automated, Audit-ready with a single click |
| System Updates | Manual, costly upgrades | Auto-updated lists & rules |
Steps to Achieve Sanction Screening Compliance with CBN?
- Integrate Youverify’s API: Connect to your core banking system in <72 hours.
- Activate Real-Time Screening: Automatically screen new/existing customers and transactions.
- Generate Reports: Use pre-built templates for NFIU, CBN, or internal audits.
Not a Youverify Customer Yet? here’s Your lifeline. The CBN’s deadline isn’t flexible—but achieving compliance doesn’t have to be hard.
Avoid Penalties, Achieve Sanction Screening Compliance Today.
Don’t risk fines or shutdowns. Book a free demo to see how Youverify keeps banks, fintechs, and MFIs compliant.