The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has reiterated that air travellers conveying cash exceeding $10,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currency) must declare it at international airports during check-in.
The directive was highlighted in a statement issued by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday, announcing a renewed partnership among the NCS, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and NFIU to bolster Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework.
Speaking at a two-day capacity-building workshop in Lagos, Deputy General Manager, Currency Operations Department, Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Maryesther Eworitse,who represented the NFIU, commended the Customs Service for fostering stronger institutional collaboration.
Eworitse revealed that recent joint intelligence operations uncovered suspicious cash movements, including an incident involving more than $6 million intercepted at the Lagos airport.
> “NFIU has installed currency declaration kiosks at international terminals and intensified public sensitisation to remind travellers of the mandatory declaration of cash above $10,000,” she stated.
Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs (Zone A), Mohammed Babandede, emphasised that inter-agency collaboration remains a core policy thrust of the current Customs administration. He noted that such synergy is critical to combating financial crimes and enhancing national security.
Babandede explained that participants at the workshop were drawn from key security and regulatory agencies, including the NCS, EFCC, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), and NFIU, underscoring a joint commitment to tackling illicit financial flows.
> “The selection of participants was deliberate, focusing on officers stationed at airports and land borders where cash and human traffic are high. The training will enable participants to exchange ideas and develop actionable outcomes,” he said.
He reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to securing Nigeria’s borders against illegal financial movements, urging participants to apply the knowledge gained to strengthen compliance and surveillance at entry and exit points.
Also speaking, the EFCC Head of Investigations, Lagos Zonal Office, Shehu Muhammad, highlighted the importance of inter-agency synergy in dismantling complex financial crime networks.
> “The Nigeria Customs Service plays a lead role in the currency declaration regime, while the EFCC handles investigations and prosecutions. Strengthening our collaboration will greatly improve effectiveness,” Muhammad said.
Jointly organised by the NCS and NFIU, the workshop was designed to enhance cooperation among relevant agencies, improve compliance with financial regulations, and reinforce Nigeria’s resilience against money laundering, terrorism financing, and other cross-border financial crimes.
About the Author
