The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has issued a strong warning to passengers on international airlines regarding strict compliance with the country’s currency declaration regulations. This follows the recent seizure of over $1.1 million and SR135,900 (Saudi Riyals), concealed in packs of palm-date fruits by a passenger arriving on a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight.
In a statement on Monday, NCS National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada (PhD), reiterated that travelers are mandated to declare any cash or negotiable instruments exceeding $10,000 or its equivalent when entering or leaving Nigeria. He noted that any violation of this regulation could lead to seizure, investigation, and prosecution in accordance with Nigeria’s anti-money laundering laws.
To reinforce these rules, the NCS on July 5 conducted a sensitisation exercise at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in collaboration with other regulatory and law enforcement agencies. The session was aimed at educating international airline operators on their role in ensuring passenger compliance with currency declaration laws. Airline personnel were urged to inform travelers about declaration obligations through onboard announcements, form distribution, and cooperation during customs checks.
Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Salihu Mas’ud, who leads the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Unit, said the NCS has already implemented key operational tools at airport terminals, including designated currency declaration posts, search rooms for secondary inspections, and consistent public announcements.
Mas’ud expressed confidence that the measures, alongside the commitment from airline operators, would improve compliance rates. He added that the submission of electronic passenger manifests containing detailed traveler information remains compulsory before aircraft arrival, as this enhances border surveillance and enables targeted risk assessments.
The sensitisation initiative is part of a broader effort to stem illicit financial flows, enforce Nigeria’s financial laws, and bolster border security. The NCS emphasized that ongoing collaboration with airline operators, airport authorities, and intelligence agencies remains crucial to curbing currency smuggling and combating terrorism financing.
