Nigeria Customs Rallies Int’l Airlines to Enforce Currency Declaration Rules at Airports
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with other law enforcement and regulatory bodies, convened a sensitisation session for international airline operators as a renewed effort aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s fight against money laundering and illicit financial flows.
The session, held on Saturday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, was a strategic initiative to reinforce the enforcement of Nigeria’s currency declaration regulations among inbound and outbound travellers.
It underscored the pivotal role of airline personnel in the compliance process, particularly in raising awareness among passengers through in-flight announcements, form distribution, and cooperation during customs procedures.
Officials reiterated that all travellers carrying more than $10,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency must declare such funds to the appropriate authorities.
They warned that non-compliance could lead to the seizure of funds, detailed investigations, and possible prosecution in accordance with the country’s anti-money laundering legislation.
Also addressed at the event was the mandatory submission of electronic manifests (e-Manifests) ahead of aircraft arrivals. These manifests are expected to contain vital passenger details—including names, flight numbers, and countries of origin and destination—which customs and security officials use for conducting targeted risk assessments and enhancing border security.
Leading the engagement was Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Salihu Mas’ud, who oversees the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Unit. He commended the active participation of airline operators and expressed optimism about improved enforcement outcomes.
“What we have achieved so far is to be able to sensitise them. We’ve gone round to check all the points. We have dedicated search rooms for secondary searches. There are dedicated posts for currency declarations, and they are in place. Announcements are also being made on the Public Address System. We have also gotten the commitment of the airline operators to ensure that these announcements are also being made on board their flights,” he explained.
Mas’ud added that the Service expects higher levels of compliance from both passengers and airline operators following the sensitisation drive.
“It will strengthen our enforcement mechanism. It also ensures that defaulters and violators of currency declarations are detected promptly and forwarded for necessary investigation and prosecution,” he stated.
The Nigeria Customs Service further emphasised that inter-agency collaboration remains vital to the success of its border security operations.
As concerns over terrorism financing and the smuggling of undeclared funds continue to rise globally, the Service reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with airline operators, airport authorities, and intelligence agencies to protect Nigeria’s borders and financial integrity.
