Chinazor Okafor

I am an experienced and career-driven professional with a strong foundation in both healthcare support services and regulatory compliance. My background spans medical laboratory assistance—where I prioritized patient care, safety, and welfare management during clinical procedures and health outreach programs—and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance, where I ensure institutional adherence to regulatory standards and risk management frameworks. My dual exposure to healthcare and financial compliance has cultivated a disciplined, detail-oriented mindset with a strong ethical foundation.

I bring forth superior knowledge of compliance laws and regulatory frameworks, alongside practical experience in high-responsibility environments where accuracy, accountability, and welfare protection are paramount. I am committed to continuous professional development and to contributing meaningfully to institutions that value integrity, operational excellence, and regulatory adherence.

Compliance Risk Officer - Sterling Bank PLC

(2024-11 - 2025-05)

• Conducting ongoing real-time or periodic reviews of accounts, KYC/CDD documentation requirements, business, data, and employee activities.
• Performing structured testing on internal controls to ensure they are operating effectively as designed.
• Following up on gaps or deficiencies found during testing to ensure business units implement remediation plans.
• Managing internal reporting hotlines and leading investigations into suspected breaches of policy, fraud, or unethical behavior.
• Preparing and submitting required compliance filings, disclosures, and reports to external oversight bodies.
• Providing regular, clear updates/memo to senior management and the Board Audit/Risk Committee regarding the organization's compliance health and major incidents.
• Acting as an internal consultant for business leaders, advising them on the compliance implications of new products, mergers, or geographic expansions.
• Developing and delivering mandatory training programs for employees on topics like Anti-Money Laundering (AML), data privacy, and anti-bribery and corruption.
• Fostering an organizational culture of integrity and accountability where employees feel safe speaking up about compliance issues.

Compliance officer (AML Transaction monitoring Officer and Sanctions Screening Officer) - Sterling Bank PLC

(2024-11 - 2025-05)

• Prepare and review Suspicious Transaction Reports(STR) to be reported to theNigerian Financial Intelligence Unit
• Monitoring unusualtransactionsinvolving high risk customers and filing Suspicious Transaction Report where necessary
• Review and I Identify allsuspicious transactions and activities on customers’ accounts
• Review transactions above the Currency Transaction Report threshold.
• Conduct customer due diligence and enhanced due diligence on high-risk accounts during onboarding, investigating functions and analyzing risks on suspicious or unusual transactions, filling of suspicious activity/transaction reportsto the NFIU, and developing compliance strategy in line with relevantregulatory requirements.
• Carry out due diligence checks to manage financial crime risks using World Check
• Provide prompt compliance advisory support to all internal stakeholders
• Ensure Compliance with the FATF recommendations,AML/CFT rules, and directives of Regulatory Bodies and internal policies.

Compliance officer (KYC and Due Diligence) - PolarisBank Limited

(2023-10 - 2024-11)

• Conducted customer due diligence and enhanced due diligence on high-risk accounts during onboarding, investigating functions and analyzing risks on suspicious or unusual transactions and developing compliance strategy in line with relevant regulatory requirements.
• Obtaining transaction information from IT, and Internal Control in form ofreports and alerts and analyze to determine transactions for further review, monitoring and investigation.
• Knowledgeable in regulatory returns (CTR, FTR) review and monitoring.
• Unveiling of UBOs during Due Diligence and Transaction screening.
• Monitoring unusualtransactionsinvolving high-risk customers and filing Suspicious Transaction Report where necessary.
• Reviewof KYC documentation for high-risk accounts(PEP, DNFBPs) at the point of onboarding.
• Reviewing and monitoring customers’ transactions and activities to spotsuspicious and unusual FX transactions.
• Responding to Requests for Information (RFI) from Correspondent banks
• Multi-tasking,Writing and sending correspondence on behalf of customers and the bank to other Financial Institutions for reconciliation.
• Carry out due diligence checkstomanage financial crime risks posed by customers and their counterparties, products etc. using World-Check.
• Ensure effectiveness ofthe Bank’s AML/CFT Framework asregards Transaction Monitoring of customers’ transactions.
• Ensure all Know-Your-Customer(KYC) processes and procedures are in line with regulatory requirements and are consistent with Bank's policies.
• Carry out due diligence checks to manage financial crime risks using World Check
• Provide prompt compliance advisory support to all internal stakeholders
• Ensure Compliance with the FATF recommendations,AML/CFT rules, and directives of Regulatory Bodies and internal policies.
• Preparation of weekly/monthly reportsfor Senior Management.

Compliance officer (Transaction monitoring team) - Fidelity Bank PLC

(2022 - 2023-10)

• AML/CFT analyst that is well vast and knowledgeable in regulatory returns (CTR, FTR), obtaining transaction information from IT, and Internal Control in form of reports and alerts and analyze to determine transactions for further review, monitoring and investigation.
• Prepare and review Suspicious Transaction Reports(STR) to be reported to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit
• Monitoring unusual transactionsinvolving high risk customers and filing Suspicious Transaction Report where necessary
• Review and I Identify all suspicious transactions and activities on customers’ accounts
• Review transactions above the Currency Transaction Report threshold.
• Conduct customer due diligence and enhanced due diligence on high-risk accounts during onboarding, investigating functions and analyzing risks on suspicious or unusual transactions, filling of suspicious activity/transaction reportsto the NFIU, and developing compliance strategy in line with relevantregulatory requirements.
• Ensure effectiveness ofthe Bank’s AML/CFT Framework asregards Transaction Monitoring of customers’ transactions.
• Ensure all Know-Your-Customer(KYC) processes and procedures are in line with regulatory requirements and are consistent with Bank's policies.
• Carry out due diligence checks to manage financial crime risks using World Check
• Provide prompt compliance advisory support to all internal stakeholders
• Ensure Compliance with the FATF recommendations,AML/CFT rules, and directives of Regulatory Bodies and internal policies.

Marketing - Fidelity Bank PLC

(2019 - 2021)

• Current and Savings Account opening,
• Depositmobilization thatis cut acrossrelationshipmanagement, driving of profit, and promoting services and products through coordinated marketing campaigns,
• brand awareness and
• improving customer relations.

Chemistry Teacher (NYSC) - Faith Model Secondary School, Alor, Anambra state.

(2018 - 2019)

Experience in Care, Catering, and Welfare Management at Organized Gatherings - S&AInstitute of Catering and Management, Benin City, Edo State

(2017 - 2018)

• Assisted in planning and coordinating catering servicesforsmall and large gatherings.
• Supportedmenu planning, portion control, and food preparation processes.
• Ensured compliance with food hygiene,safety, and sanitation standards.
• Participated in eventsetup, food presentation, and timely service delivery.
• Coordinated logisticsfor food distribution to ensure smooth event flow.
• Addressed guests’ dietary preferences and specialrequirementsto enhance welfare and comfort.
• Collaborated with team members to manage high-pressure event environments efficiently.
• Contributed to maintaining high standards of customerservice and client satisfaction.

Medical laboratory assistant-(Phlebotomist) - Nigerian Air Force Medical Center 337 BSG, Enugu State

(2016 - 2017)

• Assisted in organizing and supporting medical outreach programs and health screening events for small and large groups. Example was an Hepatitis B and C seminar programme for pregnant and nursing mothers.
• Performed safe and professional blood sample collection (venipuncture) , carrying out various medical laboratory tests, and microscopic culture tests etc. while ensuring patient comfort and reassurance.
• Monitored participants’ well-being before, during, and after sample collection to prevent adverse reactions.
• Maintained strict infection prevention and control standards, ensuring a safe environment for attendees.
• Coordinated patient flow to reduce waiting time and improve overall service efficiency during large gatherings.
• Provided clear instructions and health information to participants regarding procedures and post-test care.
• Collaborated with healthcare teams to ensure smooth logistics and effective service delivery.
• Ensured proper documentation, labeling, and handling of specimens in compliance with medical protocols.
• Demonstrated empathy, professionalism, and strong interpersonal skills when attending to diverse groups.

MBA - Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Oyo State (2020 - 2022)

B. Sc - Applied Microbiology and Brewing - Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Enugu State (2013 - 2017)

SSCE/WAEC - Regina Pacis Model Secondary School, Onitsha, Anambra State (2007 - 2013)