Born In Nigeria Means Banking Restrictions In Italy?
OpenLife News reports that Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Most Rev. Godfrey I. Onah, has narrated his ordeal at the Vatican Bank where he was told he needed special authorization to withdraw his own money because he was born in Nigeria, lamenting banking restrictions targeting Nigerians in Italy.
The scenario implies that Nigerians in Italy community is facing fresh banking restrictions as Catholic Bishop of Nsukka, Bishop Godfrey Onah, revealed he was subjected to special clearance at the Vatican Bank simply because he was born in Nigeria.
Bishop Onah, who was speaking to Nigerian Catholics in Italy in 2026, said the experience shows that being Nigerian has become a problem in the Italian banking system, including inside the Vatican.
What Happened To Bishop Onah At Vatican Bank?
Narrating his experience, Bishop Onah said he went to the Vatican Bank two days ago to collect money from his personal account and was told he needed authorization from the administration.
He said:
“I was in the Vatican Bank two days ago to collect money from my account and I was told I needed authorization from the administration, from the secretariat, because I had passed the limit of the amount of cash I could withdraw.”
The Bishop said he was amused and a little irritated because it was not that way before.
He asked through Father Johnson who was with him whether the rule was for everybody or only for bishops. The answer he got was shocking.
“The answer was shocking. ‘Dipende da dove è nato’ – It depends on where you were born.”
According to the Bishop, the bank officials made it clear that the restriction was specific and targeting Nigerians.
“So this rule is specific, targeting Nigerians. You can’t withdraw a certain amount of your money from Italian banks, including the Vatican, even if you are a bishop, if you are born in Nigeria.”
Nigerians Can No Longer Open PostePay Account In Italy?
Bishop Onah also referenced the plight of Nigerians in Italy trying to open PostePay accounts, a popular prepaid card service by Poste Italiane used by many immigrants.
He said: “Those of you who are here in Italy and you are Nigerians and you recently sought to open an account with PostePay, I don’t know whether you succeeded. You no longer can. The rule is only for Nigerians.”
“For us Nigerians, the very fact that you are a Nigerian is a problem. It complicates life for you.”
His statement has sparked reactions among Nigerians in diaspora, many of whom have complained about increased financial scrutiny, account closures, and difficulty opening new accounts in Italy and other European countries.
Why Are Nigerian Accounts Flagged In Italy And Europe?
While Bishop Onah described his experience as targeting Nigerians, banking experts say Italian banks have tightened Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rules in recent years.
Nigeria is often listed among high-risk jurisdictions by European financial regulators due to concerns about fraud, money laundering and financial crimes.
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This has led many Italian banks to apply Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) for customers born in Nigeria, even if they hold other nationalities or high positions like a Catholic Bishop.
The Vatican Bank, officially known as the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR), also tightened its compliance rules after past money laundering scandals, now applying strict limits on cash withdrawals based on nationality and risk profile.
However, many Nigerians in Italy argue that the blanket restriction amounts to discrimination, as law-abiding citizens are punished for the actions of a few.
Who Is Bishop Godfrey Onah?
Bishop Godfrey Igwebuike Onah is the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese in Enugu State, Nigeria. He was appointed Bishop in 2013 and is known for his outspoken views on social issues affecting Nigerians both at home and in diaspora.
He was speaking during a pastoral visit to Nigerian Catholics in Italy when he shared the experience.
What Can Nigerians In Italy Do?
For Nigerians living in Italy facing banking restrictions, experts advise:
1. Always provide full proof of income and residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno)
2. Avoid large cash deposits and withdrawals that trigger AML alerts
3. Maintain multiple accounts and use official bank transfer channels
4. Report cases of discrimination to ASGI (Association for Juridical Studies on Immigration) or UNAR, Italy’s anti-discrimination office.
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