Travellers Must Declare Cash Above $10,000 at International Airports – NFIU

The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has reiterated that travellers carrying more than $10,000 in cash through any of Nigeria’s international airports must declare such funds at the point of entry or exit.

The agency emphasized that the measure is in line with global anti-money laundering regulations and aims to strengthen Nigeria’s financial transparency and border security framework.

The directive was reaffirmed during a two-day inter-agency capacity-building workshop in Lagos, jointly organised by the NFIU and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), with participation from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).

According to a statement issued by the NCS on Wednesday, the collaboration is part of efforts to reinforce Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing system.

Speaking at the event, Maryesther Eworitse, Deputy General Manager, Currency Operations Department at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), said the NFIU had intensified monitoring of cash movements and public sensitization at airports.

“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,” she said.

Eworitse disclosed that recent joint intelligence operations uncovered several suspicious cash movements, including a case involving over $6 million intercepted at the Lagos airport.

The Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Zone A, Mohammed Babandede, who represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to inter-agency collaboration against financial crimes.

“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,” Babandede explained.

He reaffirmed the Customs Service’s commitment to securing Nigeria’s borders and urged participants to apply the knowledge gained to strengthen compliance and surveillance.

Similarly, EFCC Head of Investigations, Lagos Zonal Office, Shehu Muhammad, highlighted the importance of synergy among security agencies.

“The Customs Service leads the currency declaration regime, while the EFCC handles investigations and prosecutions. Strengthening inter-agency cooperation will enhance our overall effectiveness,” he said.