The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reiterated its commitment to enforcing the country’s currency declaration regulations, warning that passengers on foreign airlines who violate these regulations will face severe consequences.
The warning, according to Daily Trust, is coming on the heels of the interception of a large sum of undeclared foreign currency smuggled into Nigeria by a passenger on a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight. The currency, totaling $1,154,900 and SR135,900 (Saudi Riyals), was concealed within palm-date fruit packs.
The NCS has emphasized that passengers are required to declare any cash or negotiable instruments exceeding $10,000 or its equivalent when traveling in or out of Nigeria. Failure to comply with this regulation will result in seizure, investigation, and prosecution under Nigeria’s anti-money laundering laws.
To ensure compliance with these regulations, the NCS on Saturday, conducted a sensitization exercise international airline operators at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on the importance of enforcing Nigeria’s currency declaration laws among inbound and outbound travelers.
NCS National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, ACC Abdullahi Maiwada (PhD), in a statement issued on Monday states that Airline personnel are expected to remind passengers about declaration requirements through in-flight announcements, form distribution, and cooperation during customs checks.
Dr. Maiwada stated that NCS has also urged all passengers to comply with Nigeria’s financial regulations to avoid legal consequences. By declaring currency and other negotiable instruments as required, passengers can ensure a smooth travel experience and avoid any potential penalties or prosecution.
“In a proactive move to strengthen Nigeria’s anti-money laundering efforts, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with other law enforcement and regulatory agencies, held a sensitisation exercise for international airline operators at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on 5 July 2025.
“The session aimed to raise awareness on the importance of enforcing Nigeria’s currency declaration laws among inbound and outbound travellers. It addressed the role of airline personnel in ensuring compliance, especially in reminding passengers about declaration requirements through in-flight announcements, form distribution, and cooperation during customs checks.
“Officials emphasised that any passenger carrying over the regulatory threshold, currently $10,000 or its equivalent, is required to make a declaration to the authorities. Failure to comply, they warned, could result in seizure, investigation, and prosecution under Nigeria’s anti-money laundering laws.
“Additional requirements discussed included the mandatory submission of electronic manifests (e-Manifests) before aircraft arrival, as well as complete passenger details such as names, countries of origin and destination, and flight numbers, stating that these records allow customs and security officers to conduct targeted risk assessments and enhance border surveillance operations.
“Assistant Comptroller of Customs in charge of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Unit, Salihu Mas’ud, led the engagement and expressed confidence in the outcomes. According to him, the Service has already implemented several operational tools to support effective enforcement.
“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 said.
He added, “We expect higher compliance, and 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 sensitization session highlighted the importance of inter-agency collaboration in securing Nigeria’s borders and preventing illicit financial flows. With growing concerns over terrorism financing and smuggling of undeclared funds, the NCS said sustained partnerships with airline operators, airport authorities, and intelligence agencies will remain key to its success.
