SAADAT ARO-LAMBO
Lagos
Summary
Regulatory Compliance Officer with experience in financial services regulation, AML/CFT, and enterprise risk management within fintech environments. Demonstrated expertise in regulatory change management, audit readiness, policy development, and internal control design. Adept at translating regulatory requirements into practical, business-aligned controls while working cross-functionally to safeguard institutional integrity and regulatory standing.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Regulatory Compliance Officer
Payaza Africa Limited
Lagos
02.2025 - Current
- Designed and implemented internal control frameworks covering 100% of core operational and compliance processes, reducing regulatory and operational risk exposure.
- Conducted enterprise and client-level risk assessments for 50+ merchants and partners monthly, supporting compliant onboarding and improved merchant retention.
- Led KYB/KYC onboarding, enhanced due diligence, and periodic reviews, ensuring full regulatory compliance with zero critical onboarding breaches.
- Developed, reviewed, and maintained 10+ compliance policies, procedures, and SOPs, aligning operations with CBN, NFIU, FATF, and global best-practice standards.
- Supported audit readiness initiatives for internal, partner, and regulatory audits, contributing to successful examinations with no material adverse findings.
- Managed regulatory reporting and documentation, maintaining 100% on-time submission of regulatory renditions and compliance deliverables.
- Contributed to the design and operationalization of Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) frameworks, improving oversight, accountability, and regulatory traceability.
- Delivered compliance training and awareness sessions to 70+ staff across multiple departments, strengthening compliance culture and regulatory awareness.
- Oversaw corporate ethics and code of conduct compliance, including advisory support and issue escalation.
- Conducted third-party and vendor compliance assessments for 15+ vendors, covering AML/CFT, data protection, and regulatory obligations.
- Managed incident reporting and investigations, ensuring timely escalation, root-cause analysis, and corrective action implementation.
- Supported data privacy and cybersecurity compliance initiatives in line with NDPR and internal information security standards.
- Utilized compliance monitoring tools for transaction monitoring, sanctions, and PEP screening, supporting real-time risk detection and escalation.
- Tracked regulatory developments from CBN, NFIU, and other regulators, translating new laws, circulars, and advisories into actionable internal controls.
- Collaborated with Legal, Risk, Operations, Product, and Communications teams to ensure enterprise-wide compliance alignment.
Communications Specialist
Payaza Africa Limited
Lagos
09.2023 - 01.2025
- Managed corporate communications strategy to enhance brand reputation and stakeholder engagement.
- Drafted press releases, media statements, and internal communications aligned with corporate values and regulatory positioning.
- Coordinated corporate events, supporting investor relations and external partnerships.
- Worked cross-functionally to communicate compliance updates and regulatory initiatives across teams.
Legal Intern
Caxton & Lucke
Lagos
02.2021 - 08.2023
- Conducted legal research and supported drafting of motions, pleadings, and case files for litigation matters.
- Provided client-facing support, managing inquiries and coordinating consultations with legal staff.
- Assisted in court proceedings and regulatory documentation filing.
- Gained practical exposure to corporate law, regulatory compliance, and litigation support.
Education
Barrister at Law (BL) - Certified
Nigeria Law School
NigeriaBachelor of Laws (LL.B) -
Crescent University
NigeriaCORE COMPETENCIES
- Regulatory Change Management
- Audit & Examination Readiness
- Third-Party Risk Management
- Financial Services Regulation & Compliance
- KYB/KYC Onboarding & Due Diligence
- Sanctions & PEP Screening
- Regulatory Risk Assessment
- Compliance Policy & Procedure Development
- Regulatory Research & Interpretation
- Internal Control Design & Monitoring
- Cross-functional Stakeholder Engagement
CERTIFICATIONS & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS), In Progress
- Governance, Risk & Compliance: AML/CFT Compliance Requirements, Completed, 12/01/25
- Professional Certificate in Regulatory Compliance - MTF Institute, Completed, 06/01/25
- Financial Crime & AML/CFT Compliance Training, Internal & External Programs
Timeline
Regulatory Compliance Officer
Payaza Africa Limited
02.2025 - Current
Communications Specialist
Payaza Africa Limited
09.2023 - 01.2025
Legal Intern
Caxton & Lucke
02.2021 - 08.2023
Barrister at Law (BL) - Certified
Nigeria Law School
Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) -
Crescent University