The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, and the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, are collaborating to combat money laundering and remove Nigeria from the FATF grey list.
FAAN Managing Director, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, said both agencies are working closely to reduce illicit financial activities across Nigeria’s borders.
After a joint tour of the cargo terminal at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Kuku said the partnership targets currency declarations exceeding the $10,000 threshold, both for passengers arriving and departing Nigeria.
She advised all travellers to declare any currency above $10,000 when entering or leaving the country.
Kuku noted that several measures have already been implemented, including enhanced security screening and improvements to passenger processing.
She said efforts are ongoing to reduce multiple checkpoints and streamline passenger movement through upgraded procedures even as she confirmed that the NCS is committed to heightened security and better passenger service.
Owing to increased cargo activity nationwide and the need for enhanced security and improved operational efficiency, Kuku stated that operators at the cargo shed had undergone re-registration to boost transparency and accountability.
This, she explained, is part of efforts to restore order and visibility at cargo terminals nationwide.
The FAAN boss appreciated NCS’s support in improving passenger experience and business operations.
Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi emphasised need to appreciate the roles of both agencies in national security. While FAAN handles aviation security, NCS focuses on flight facilitation, documentation, revenue and national protection.
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Adeniyi stressed that none of these efforts should compromise passenger experience or convenience.
He highlighted recent improvements at airports, noting visible upgrades in structure, processes, and passenger facilities and promised to build upon these changes and enhance the overall experience for all airport users.
On Nigeria’s FATF grey list status, Adeniyi expressed satisfaction with FAAN’s current efforts and initiatives and praised the creation of dedicated spaces for currency declarations at the airports.
He also disclosed plans to merge the currency declaration form with passenger arrival cards from Immigration.
In the meantime, he said existing systems were sufficient to meet FATF inspection requirements.
Adeniyi added that regular announcements would remind passengers of the need to declare currency above the set threshold.
He said the meeting would deepen inter-agency collaboration and address other operational challenges.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that other airport security agencies also joined the tour.
NAN
