<b>STEMMING CAPITAL FLIGHT, TAX EVASION, AND MONEY LAUNDERING IN NIGERIA: THE ROLE OF THE NIGERIAN FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT</b>

<b>Abstract</b>Among what have persistently undermined Nigeria's economic development are illicit financial outflows through capital flight, tax evasion, and money laundering. These issues hamper domestic resource mobilization and erode public trust in financial institutions especially banks. Anchoring on an intergrated theoritical frameworks, this paper explores the role of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) in combating these economic crimes in Nigeria. It assesses the legal framework, operational capacity, achievements, and constraints of the NFIU. Employing a quantitative approach, the study utilizes secondary data from NFIU reports (2020–2024) and Central Bank of Nigeria financial disclosures. Statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate trends and correlations between NFIU enforcement and illicit activity reduction. Findings from the study reveal that increased Suspicious Transaction Report (STR) filings, real-time monitoring, and policy interventions by the NFIU significantly curtailed money laundering and capital flight activities. Findings from the study reveal that the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit plays a vital role in disrupting the financial architecture that enables capital flight, tax evasion, and money laundering—especially within the banking system. The paper while confirming a strong correlation between financial intelligence enforcement and reduction in financial crimes concludes that capital flight, tax evasion, and money laundering practices weaken economic development, reduce government revenue, and undermine financial integrity. The paper recommends among others; strengthening Nigeria's Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) capacity by enhancing their training, improved inter-agency collaboration and coordination should; and strengthening Nigeria’s international cooperation by enhancing collaboration with foreign financial intelligence units<b>.</b>