David Odu, a senior manager at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has been elected to the 2026-2027 board of regents of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE).
This reportedly makes Odu the first Nigerian and the first West African to serve on the anti-fraud organisation’s highest elective body.
His election is expected to be formally announced at the ACFE global fraud conference in Boston, United States (US).
Odu’s emergence places Nigeria and West Africa within the highest level of global anti-fraud leadership at a time when financial crime, digital disruption and institutional trust remain central concerns for emerging economies.
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“My election to the Board of Regents of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners is not just a personal achievement; it is a proud moment for Nigeria, West Africa, and the African anti-fraud community,” Odu said on joining the board.
“It demonstrates that African professionals are increasingly shaping global conversations on integrity, compliance, governance, and financial crime prevention.
“I hope this milestone inspires young professionals across Africa to believe that competence, excellence, and integrity can create opportunities on the global stage.”
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The ACFE’s fraud magazine confirmed that Odu and two other newly elected Regents took their oaths of office during the board’s February 2026 meeting.
Reacting to the development, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), congratulated the CBN executive and commended the ACFE for electing him to the board.
In a letter addressed to John Gill, president of ACFE, Okonjo-Iweala described the election as a well-deserved achievement.
“Please accept my heartfelt congratulations to him on this well-deserved achievement, and to the Association for choosing such an accomplished and dedicated professional for this important role,” the WTO boss said.
“His election – particularly as the first Regent from West Africa – is an inspiring milestone, and I wish him every success as he embarks on this new responsibility.”
A FRAUD EXPERT AND WRITER
Odu currently serves as a senior manager at the CBN, where he has held several leadership roles, including head of currency management centre, head of customer service, head of banking services, and head of information and client services, where he handled customer complaints involving financial institutions at the Makurdi branch.
At the central bank’s head office, he served as senior manager, anti-money laundering compliance, where he contributed to the AML/CFT/CPF compliance policy framework for the eNaira, Africa’s first central bank digital currency.
According to his profile, Odu also facilitated the CBN’s partnership with the ACFE law enforcement and government alliance (LEGA), making the CBN the first government entity in Nigeria and the first central bank in Africa to join the global anti-fraud alliance.
He subsequently facilitated LEGA membership for key institutions such as the EFCC, ICPC, NFIU, and the National Audit Office of The Gambia.
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A certified fraud examiner and certified anti-money laundering specialist, Odu is said to have built a career at the intersection of financial integrity, fraud prevention, regulatory compliance, and institutional accountability.
He is also a writer and thought leader whose published work includes a 2020 article in Bullion, the CBN’s journal, on AML/CFT regulation, fintech disruption, and financial inclusion in sub-Saharan Africa.
His professional development includes training at the Singapore Civil Service College, the Hague Academy for Local Governance, and the National Institute for Bank Management, Pune, India.
Odu has also spoken at several international forums, including the annual compliance seminar of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
The Cable