The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit has reiterated that all air travellers at international airports are required to declare cash amounts exceeding $10,000 when checking in for flights.

This directive was highlighted by Maryesther Eworitse, Deputy General Manager of the Currency Operations Department at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, during a two-day capacity-building workshop in Lagos, according to a statement from the Nigerian Customs Service.

At the event, the NCS emphasized its collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the NFIU to strengthen Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework.

Representing the NFIU, Eworitse commended the NCS for strengthening inter-agency collaboration. She revealed that recent joint intelligence operations had exposed suspicious cash movements, including a case involving more than $6 million at the Lagos airport.

She added, ‘’The NFIU has installed currency declaration kiosks at international terminals and intensified public sensitisation to remind travellers of the mandatory declaration of cash above $10,000.’’

Meanwhile, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Zone A, Mohammed Babandede, who represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the partnership highlights the vital role of inter-agency collaboration in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing.

ACG Babandede noted that inter-agency collaboration remains a core policy priority of the Comptroller-General’s administration, emphasizing that such partnerships have greatly enhanced national security efforts.

He added that participants at the workshop were drawn from the NCS, EFCC, Department of State Services, Nigerian Immigration Service, and NFIU, reflecting a unified commitment to tackling financial crimes.

He said, “The selection of participants was deliberate, focusing on officers from airports and land borders where the movement of cash and human traffic is high. The training will enable participants to exchange ideas and develop actionable outcomes.’’

He reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s borders against illicit financial flows and urged participants to apply the knowledge gained to strengthen vigilance and compliance within their respective commands.

Also, the Head of Investigations at the EFCC Lagos Zonal Office, Shehu Muhammad, stressed the importance of synergy in dismantling complex financial crime networks.

‘’The Nigeria Customs Service plays a lead role in the currency declaration regime, while the EFCC handles investigations and prosecutions. Strengthening inter-agency synergy will improve our effectiveness,” said Muhammad.