In a renewed push to remove Nigeria from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have intensified joint efforts to bolster aviation security, streamline passenger processing, and curb illicit financial activities across the country’s airports.
During a strategic inspection of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on Thursday, FAAN Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, and the Comptroller General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, led a high-level delegation through the arrival and departure areas as well as the cargo terminals. The inspection was part of preparations ahead of a scheduled visit by the FATF inspection team.
The FATF grey list identifies countries with strategic deficiencies in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures. Nigeria’s inclusion on this list has raised concerns over its global financial standing, making the current collaboration between FAAN and NCS all the more critical.
Kuku emphasized that the joint inspection marked a significant turning point in efforts to upgrade airport infrastructure, improve passenger facilitation, and enforce tighter financial controls. “The collaboration with Customs is a demonstration of our shared commitment to improve trade and passenger experiences while meeting international compliance requirements. We have enhanced our screening procedures, especially with respect to currency declaration for passengers arriving and departing,” she said.
Passengers are now required to declare cash or negotiable instruments exceeding $10,000, in line with Nigeria’s anti-money laundering regulations. According to Kuku, FAAN has implemented various reforms to support this policy, including the deployment of designated areas for declarations and streamlined security screening to reduce multiple checkpoints.
She also noted a surge in activity across cargo terminals, which has necessitated the re-registration of operators to enhance visibility and transparency. “Our efforts are geared towards restoring order in the cargo sector while ensuring safety and operational efficiency,” she added, thanking the Customs Service for its continued support in advancing airport reforms.
Echoing Kuku’s remarks, CG Adeniyi stressed that the partnership between FAAN and NCS is critical to national security and global aviation compliance. “This visit is about fostering a shared understanding of our roles. While FAAN focuses on aviation security, Customs handles documentation, revenue generation, and national protection. Together, we must ensure that none of our processes compromise passenger convenience,” he said.
He praised FAAN for the structural and procedural improvements already visible across airports, and confirmed that measures such as non-intrusive inspection technology, regular passenger announcements, and the integration of declaration forms with immigration arrival cards are part of Customs’ strategy to ensure FATF compliance.
Adeniyi also expressed confidence that Nigeria has implemented sufficient safeguards to meet FATF expectations, especially regarding the monitoring of currency movement and enforcement of transparency in export processes. He commended the private sector’s involvement in boosting export volumes and called for nationwide standardization to ensure consistent quality of service across all Nigerian airports.
The Customs chief disclosed that discussions with FAAN also covered long-term collaborative frameworks for data integration, automation, and real-time monitoring to enhance risk assessment and national security at points of entry and exit.
As both agencies prepare for FATF’s upcoming assessment visit, the joint initiative reflects a coordinated national response to global financial oversight and underscores Nigeria’s determination to restore international confidence in its financial system and aviation governance.
