The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) waged a successful campaign against illicit financial flows between January and July 2025, intercepting a substantial $2.209 million in undeclared cash at various international airports across the country. These seizures, primarily conducted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano, underscore the NCS’s commitment to combating financial crimes and enforcing currency declaration regulations. The intercepted funds, often ingeniously concealed, highlight the sophisticated methods employed by individuals attempting to circumvent established financial protocols. These interceptions not only represent a significant victory for the NCS but also serve as a deterrent to potential offenders, reinforcing the importance of financial transparency and compliance with existing regulations.
A detailed analysis of the NCS reports reveals a pattern of significant seizures throughout the specified period. One of the most noteworthy interceptions occurred in March at the Kano airport, where a passenger arriving from Saudi Arabia was found to be carrying $1,154,900 and SR135,900 in Saudi Riyals concealed within packs of palm dates. This incident, which resulted in the arrest of the suspect and the subsequent forfeiture of the funds to the Federal Government following a court conviction, exemplifies the effectiveness of the NCS’s vigilant monitoring and enforcement efforts. Similarly, in March, Abuja Airport witnessed the interception of $193,000 in undeclared cash hidden within a carton of yoghurt from a passenger arriving from Jeddah, further demonstrating the diverse and often unexpected methods employed to smuggle undeclared funds.
The Lagos airport also served as a focal point for interceptions, with one notable case involving a passenger arriving from South Africa in March who falsely declared $279,000 while concealing an additional $299,000 in multiple packages. This incident, totaling $578,000 in undeclared cash, highlights the prevalence of false declarations as a tactic to circumvent currency regulations. Furthermore, the Kano airport witnessed another significant seizure in July, involving a passenger arriving from Saudi Arabia carrying various foreign currencies equivalent to approximately N653.99 million, including $420,900, 3,946,500 West African CFA francs, 224,000 Central African CFA francs, and €5,825. These diverse cases underscore the persistent attempts to move large sums of undeclared cash across international borders, emphasizing the ongoing need for robust surveillance and enforcement by the NCS.
Beyond inbound passengers, the NCS also focused on outbound travelers, as illustrated by the interception of a passenger at the Lagos airport who declared only $6,000 while carrying $29,000, a clear violation of currency declaration requirements. This instance demonstrates that the NCS’s efforts are not solely focused on inbound cash flows but encompass a comprehensive approach to monitoring both incoming and outgoing funds. The collective efforts of the NCS at these various airports resulted in a significant disruption of illicit financial flows, contributing to greater financial transparency and accountability within the country.
Industry experts have offered insightful perspectives on the underlying factors contributing to the surge in undeclared cash seizures. Mr. Pius Ujubuonu, a chieftain of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, attributed the phenomenon to fiscal policy issues, suggesting that high rates of circumvention often indicate underlying discrepancies within the system. He advocated for a review of government fiscal policies to encourage voluntary declaration of cash by travelers, thereby promoting greater compliance with regulations. This perspective emphasizes the importance of addressing the root causes of non-compliance, rather than solely focusing on enforcement measures.
Furthermore, Dr. Segun Musa, Deputy National President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, expressed concerns about the adequacy of the campaign against undeclared cash, emphasizing the need for more rigorous public awareness campaigns to educate the general public about the existing rules and regulations. He also urged the government to conduct thorough investigations into the seized funds to determine appropriate punishments for offenders, thereby strengthening the deterrent effect of enforcement actions. This multifaceted approach, combining public awareness campaigns with robust investigative procedures, is crucial in fostering a culture of compliance and deterring future violations. The NCS has reiterated the importance of declaring cash exceeding $10,000 or its equivalent in other currencies, providing forms at airline counters to facilitate lawful declarations and ensure transparency in cross-border financial transactions.
