The Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku and the Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi have reaffirmed the agencies commitment to curbing money laundering and enhancing passenger experience.
They said this particularly can be achieved through stronger inter-agency collaboration at Nigeria’s busiest gateway, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
Speaking during a joint inspection tour of the airport with the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mrs. Kuku disclosed that the visit focused on enhancing operations at the international and cargo terminals, with an emphasis on strengthening border control, trade facilitation, and compliance with global financial standards.
Mrs. Kuku revealed that both agencies are aligning their efforts to ensure Nigeria exits the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, by intensifying controls on illicit financial flows and enforcing mandatory currency declaration protocols.
She emphasized that passengers arriving or departing Nigeria are required by law to declare any amount exceeding $10,000, and said additional measures are now being reinforced at arrival points to monitor compliance more effectively.
“There is a shared determination to rid our entry and exit points of illegal financial transactions. Our collaboration with Customs, particularly on currency declaration and enhanced security screening, is a significant step in safeguarding our borders and improving Nigeria’s global standing.”
The FAAN boss expressed gratitude to the Customs Comptroller General for his agency’s ongoing support in promoting safety, security, and operational efficiency, while maintaining a strong focus on improving the experience of passengers and business stakeholders alike.
She also noted that the growing volume of cargo activities across the country’s airports demands improved coordination and a higher level of security presence.
According to her, at MMIA cargo terminal, FAAN has intensified its oversight by re-registering cargo operators to ensure greater transparency and accountability in operations.
“Cargo is the future, and we are aligning our infrastructure and policies to reflect that.”
The Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi disclosed that the NCS has also taken a significant leap by automating the currency declaration process, with plans to integrate it with immigration’s passenger arrival cards and declaration forms.
A move, he said is aimed at simplifying compliance and enhancing data sharing.
These measures, according to him, are part of broader efforts to secure Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list of countries with strategic deficiencies in countering money laundering and terrorist financing.
He disclosed that a FATF review team is expected in Nigeria in the coming weeks, and Adeniyi expressed optimism that the progress made will meet the international body’s expectations.
“The Financial Action Task Force team in a matter of weeks visit Nigeria and we believe that we have put in place enough measures to get them satisfied and remove Nigeria from the list. But more importantly, our meeting today has created a platform for us to deepen collaboration”.
Beyond passenger operations, Mr. Adeniyi also visited the cargo terminals, where discussions were held on enhancing Nigeria’s export competitiveness.
He observed that excessive delays at airports have made Nigerian exports less attractive globally.
The Customs boss, assured that the NCS will support terminal operators’ efforts to improve the volume, quality, and efficiency of exports, especially through the adoption of technology.
Mr. Adeniyi highlighted the potential for non-intrusive inspection technologies and digital systems to fast-track cargo and passenger processing.
He advocated the replication of Lagos airport best practices across the country to ensure a standardized and seamless travel experience at all Nigerian airports.
Reporting by Nosa Aituamen