By: Manoah Kikekon
 |
The newly established World Customs Organization (WCO) Mentoring Mission Team on Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) has advocated for heightened vigilance and more robust mechanisms to curb illicit financial flows across Nigeria's borders following an assessment visit to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command.
The inspection tour, aimed at evaluating operational challenges and improving stakeholder alignment, kicked off on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, at the Nigeria Customs Service Electronic Currency Declaration Unit located within the airport in Ikeja, Lagos.
Receiving the international delegation on behalf of the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller of Customs (DC) Jacob Onele, the Deputy Comptroller overseeing Enforcement, DC Mahmood Mundi, stressed that strategic partnership with the WCO is vital to building a formidable defense against money laundering and terror financing in line with global standards.
He commended the leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi for driving operational efficiency, while acknowledging the vital role played by allied security agencies in maintaining national border integrity.
Highlighting recent achievements of the airport unit, DC Mundi revealed that in 2025, Customs personnel intercepted undeclared foreign currencies amounting to approximately €834,165 and $1,316,692.
The confiscated funds were subsequently handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and legal action.
He also noted that the command successfully modernized its processes in 2025 by transitioning from manual paper declarations to a fully digital currency declaration system.
Outlining the mission's scope, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Masa'ud Salihu, who serves as the National Coordinator of the Nigeria Customs Service AML/CFT Unit, explained that direct engagement with field officers and inter-agency partners is crucial for obtaining accurate insights into existing regulatory frameworks.
He stated that gathering direct feedback from operational officers will help identify existing loopholes, refine detection protocols, and disrupt illegal capital movements more effectively.
He further emphasized that strengthening the AML/CFT architecture is a national priority that extends beyond the Customs Service, serving the broader security and economic interests of Nigeria.