Head of Compliance
LemFi (Series B) is building the go-to financial app for the Global South.
Moving to a new country shouldn’t mean starting from zero. That's why our team of 400+ spanning 20+ countries is building a financial ecosystem that helps immigrants stay connected to home, build stability, and create wealth regardless of where they are from or where they live.
What began as fast, affordable remittances is now evolving into a complete platform for multi-currency accounts, payments, credit, and long-term financial growth.
With millions of users across the globe, we process over $1B in monthly transactions to 30+ countries, proving that borders shouldn't limit financial opportunity.
The Role
As the Nigerian Head of Compliance , you will be the primary guardian of our regulatory integrity and the architect of our local compliance framework. Reporting to the Managing Director, Nigeria with a functional line to the Group Head of Compliance, you will ensure that as we scale, we remain beyond reproach in our dealings with all regulatory and statutory bodies.
You will have day to day responsibility of the Nigerian AML/CFT compliance program ,. This role offers high autonomy and leadership visibility, giving you the power to shape the future of financial services at scale while working cross-functionally with Product, Operations, and external partners to deliver sustainable, market-leading expansion.
How You'll Contribute
Regulatory compliance oversight, including consumer compliance
Ensure our products and services comply with the Central Bank Nigeria rules and other Nigerian and global AML/CFT requirements.
Be responsible for regulatory reporting
Develop and execute a comprehensive compliance strategy that bridges LemFi’s fast-paced innovation with the rigorous standards of the Nigerian financial landscape.
Act as the Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO), overseeing robust Customer Due Diligence (CDD), transaction monitoring, and suspicious activity reporting (STR) to the NFIU.
Serve as the regulatory point of contact for the CBN, EFCC, Nigeria Police Force, Tax Authorities, and legislative bodies regarding inquiries, investigations, or statutory requests.
Proactively build and maintain a network with Compliance Officers across the Nigerian Financial Services sector to facilitate information sharing and ensure the rapid reporting and resolution of fraud cases.
Partner with Product and Engineering to ensure new features and onboarding flows are "compliant by design" while maintaining a seamless user experience.
Lead the implementation of new regulatory requirements into the business operations.
Produce regular management information to MD and Global Head of Compliance
Lead Policy & Ethics: Maintain high-impact policies covering Anti-Bribery, Corruption, and Conduct Risk, ensuring a culture of integrity across all local operations.
Collaborate with global compliance teams to ensure Nigerian requirements are embedded into group policies.
Who You Are
A Strategic Guardian: You don’t just spot risks; you build systems to prevent them. You comfortably own the risk register, regulatory deadlines, and regional execution with clear accountability.
An Expert Translator: You possess the rare ability to translate CBN circulars and legislative updates into actionable business requirements that the Product team can actually build.
A Master of Diplomacy: You are a skilled communicator and negotiator, capable of navigating high-stakes interactions with law enforcement, government officials, and industry peers with poise.
Resilient & Rapid: You thrive in the high-pressure environment of a Series B fintech, navigating operational hurdles with the speed required to ensure compliance never lags behind growth.
A Cross-Functional Unifier: You possess excellent stakeholder management skills, effortlessly aligning Growth, Product, and external partners toward shared commercial success and system reliability.
What You'll Bring
5 years experience in senior Compliance or Risk leadership roles within Nigerian fintech, payments, or commercial banking.
Proven track record of managing relationships and successful examinations with the CBN and NFIU.
Direct experience handling law enforcement inquiries (EFCC, Police) and engaging with government or legislative stakeholders.
Deep expertise in the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act and other local financial crime regulations.
Strong command of AML/CFT frameworks and experience advising on the optimization of compliance software and monitoring tools.
Relevant professional certifications (e.g., CAMS, CFE, or ICCP) and a strong existing network within the Nigerian compliance community.
Excellent analytical, research, verbal and written communication skills
Adaptable to global operational needs and ability to work in a rapidly changing business and regulatory environment
Ability to thrive as part of a team and be an empowering, constructive and considerate colleague.
The Interview Process
Chat with a Talent Partner (30 mins)
Meeting the Manager (45 mins)
Final Interview & Case Study (5 days to complete + 1-hour presentation)
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Why Join LemFi?
Love shouldn’t be expensive, yet those working hardest for their families often face predatory fees and banking exclusion. We're changing this.
At LemFi, you won’t be just a cog in a machine. Whether designing products, scaling operations, or telling our story, you’ll tackle complex challenges with real, immediate impact. Your work goes beyond metrics - it puts money back in families’ pockets and offers access to the previously excluded. Join us to make a meaningful difference, where high performance is a lifeline for millions.
Our Values: How We Win
Sharp Customer Focus 🎯 We cut through the noise and prioritize ruthlessly based on what drives real value.
Lead with Data 📊 We trade instinct for insight. We test, analyze, and own the outcomes.
Ownership 🤝 We take responsibility for global outcomes, not just local wins.
Grit 💪 We navigate ambiguity with resilience and keep pushing until the customer feels the impact.
You can connect with us on LinkedIn and Instagram and if you haven't already, download the app on the App Store or Google Play.
Diversity & Inclusion at LemFi
To build the best financial tools for the global diaspora, we need a team that reflects the world we serve. We welcome builders from all walks of life who embody our values over a perfect resume.
Don’t meet every single requirement in the job ad? Research shows that candidates from underrepresented backgrounds often hesitate to apply if they don't check every box. If you are excited about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be just the right person for this, or other roles.