Nizar Naser Hussein is Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, having assumed the role on 22 June 2026, succeeding Ali Al-Alaq. He holds a master’s degree in law and brings over 25 years of experience at the central bank, having served in legal, administrative, and supervisory roles, including drafting banking regulations and developing compliance frameworks aligned with international standards.

Prior to his appointment as Governor, he served as Director General of Iraq’s Office for Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing, representing Iraq at international forums including the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force. His appointment came at a time of significant pressure on Iraq’s banking sector, with his expertise in financial crime and compliance seen as central to the country’s ongoing banking reform efforts.