The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified efforts to curb money laundering and illicit financial flows by sensitising international airline operators on the country’s currency declaration requirements.
At a session held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, customs officials, alongside other law enforcement and regulatory agencies, briefed airline representatives on their roles in enforcing regulations governing the movement of foreign currency in and out of Nigeria.
Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Salihu Mas’ud, who heads the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Unit, said the exercise aimed to boost compliance among travellers and airline staff.
He explained that any passenger carrying over $10,000 or its equivalent must declare the funds to authorities, warning that failure to do so could result in seizure, investigation, and prosecution under Nigeria’s anti-money laundering laws.
“We have dedicated search rooms for secondary checks, and there are specific posts for currency declarations,” Mas’ud said. “Announcements are also being made over the public address system, and we have secured the commitment of airline operators to ensure these messages are relayed on board flights.”
Officials also reminded airlines of the mandatory submission of electronic passenger manifests before aircraft arrival, including passenger details and flight information, which aid customs and security agencies in risk assessments and border surveillance.
Mas’ud expressed confidence that the sensitisation would result in higher compliance rates, helping authorities detect and prosecute offenders swiftly.
The NCS stressed that inter-agency collaboration and cooperation from airline operators remain crucial in protecting Nigeria’s borders and combating the financing of terrorism and other financial crimes.