OPINION: Nigeria Customs and the Currency Declaration Form – A Strategic Move Against Illicit Finance Flows, by Tahir Ahmad
In an era where global economies are tightening the noose on illicit financial flows and economic sabotage, Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), charged with enforcing economic laws at the borders, has in recent months stepped up its vigilance on an often-overlooked compliance measure: the declaration of cash at airports.
According to Sections 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 16 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, any individual entering or exiting Nigeria with funds exceeding $10,000 (or its equivalent in any currency) is required to declare the amount in writing to Customs officers. This is not a guideline or suggestion, it is the law. The purpose? To prevent money laundering, illicit financial flows, and terrorism financing, all of which often move under the cover of untracked bulk cash.
To operationalize this law, the Nigeria Customs Service requires travelers to fill out a Currency Declaration Form when transporting such sums. This form is a simple but powerful instrument. It ensures transparency, enables law enforcement collaboration, and helps trace funds that might otherwise be lost to underground financial networks.
In a significant move to modernize and streamline this process, the NCS has introduced the Electronic Currency Declaration Form (e-CDF). This digital platform allows travelers to declare their funds online before arrival or departure, enhancing efficiency and reducing the risk of non-compliance. The e-CDF system was successfully piloted at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, recording 69 transactions with a total declared value exceeding $1.3 million. The initiative aligns with global best practices in anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism measures .
Yet, despite how straightforward the process is, too many travelers still ignore it, sometimes out of ignorance, but often in an attempt to smuggle cash under the radar. Fortunately, the Customs Service is responding with firm, lawful action.
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In March 2024, Customs officers at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport intercepted a startling $193,000 concealed inside a yoghurt carton, a clear attempt to bypass declaration protocols. That same month, at the Kano International Airport, officers discovered $1.1 million and SAR135,900 in undeclared cash. The message from Customs was clear and that is evading the law will not go unnoticed.
But it’s not just about seizure; it’s also about prosecution. At Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, a man caught with $578,000 hidden in his luggage was sentenced to six months in prison. In a separate case, another individual who failed to declare $8,020,704 received a similar sentence. Even relatively smaller amounts, such as $30,000, have drawn legal consequences, with the courts affirming the mandatory nature of cash declaration.
These are not isolated incidents, they are part of a nationwide clampdown that reflects the Customs Service’s renewed commitment to enforcing Nigeria’s financial laws without fear or favor. Under the leadership of the Comptroller-General and in collaboration with other financial watchdogs, NCS is building a reputation as a bulwark against illicit finance.
Some may argue that the rules are inconvenient, or that enforcement is too aggressive. But such arguments fall flat in the face of Nigeria’s economic realities. Every undeclared dollar that slips through our borders is a missed opportunity for transparency, accountability, and national development. At a time when the country is fighting to stabilize its currency and increase non-oil revenues, financial leakages via undeclared cash flows are not just illegal but they are unacceptable.
What’s more, Nigeria is part of an interconnected global financial system that demands accountability. International partners are watching, and consistent enforcement boosts the country’s credibility in areas like trade, investment, and security cooperation.
The recent enforcement actions show that the Nigeria Customs Service is not just scanning luggage; it is scanning intent. By cracking down on undeclared currency movements, the Service is protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s financial ecosystem, safeguarding public revenue, and reinforcing Nigeria’s credibility on the global stage.
Rather than seeing the Customs Service as a punitive force, Nigerians, especially international travelers must begin to see it as a strategic ally in the fight for economic stability. The law is clear. The form is simple. The consequences of non-compliance are serious.
In the end, compliance isn’t just a civic duty. It’s a collective investment in Nigeria’s economic future. The Nigeria Customs Service has proven that it is ready to do its part. The question now is: will travelers do theirs?
Tahir Ahmad is a NYSC corps member serving at PRNigeria Centre Abuja. He can be reached via: [email protected]
