The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have intensified their collaborative efforts to combat money laundering and enhance passenger experience at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. This joint initiative aims to strengthen border control, trade facilitation, and compliance with global financial standards.
During a recent joint inspection tour of the airport, Olubunmi Kuku, FAAN’s Managing Director, and Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller General of NCS, reaffirmed their agencies’ commitment to curbing illicit financial flows and improving passenger experience.
They emphasized that this collaboration is crucial in ensuring Nigeria’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.
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Kuku highlighted that passengers arriving or departing Nigeria are required by law to declare any amount exceeding $10,000 and that additional measures are 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,” she said.
“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.”
Adewale Adeniyi disclosed that NCS has automated the currency declaration process, with plans to integrate it with immigration’s passenger arrival cards and declaration forms. This move aims to simplify compliance and enhance data sharing, ultimately contributing to Nigeria’s removal from the FATF grey list.
The Comptroller General expressed optimism that the progress made will meet the FATF’s expectations, noting that a review team is expected to visit Nigeria in the coming weeks. “The Financial Action Task Force team will visit Nigeria in a matter of weeks, and we believe that we have put in place enough measures to get them satisfied and remove Nigeria from the list,” he said.
Beyond passenger operations, 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 and assured that NCS will support terminal operators’ efforts to improve the volume, quality, and efficiency of exports through the adoption of technology.
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Kuku echoed Adeniyi’s sentiments, emphasizing that cargo is the future and that FAAN is aligning its infrastructure and policies to reflect this. “At MMIA cargo terminal, FAAN has intensified its oversight by re-registering cargo operators to ensure greater transparency and accountability in operations,” she said.
The collaborative efforts between FAAN and NCS demonstrate a commitment to improving the aviation sector and enhancing Nigeria’s global standing. By working together, these agencies aim to create a more efficient, secure, and seamless travel experience for passengers and business stakeholders alike.
