The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has uncovered undeclared foreign currencies totaling $2.209 million at major airports across the country between January and July 2025.
The interceptions were recorded at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
In March, customs operatives at the Kano airport seized $1,154,900 and SR135,900 (Saudi Riyals) from a passenger arriving from Saudi Arabia. The money, hidden inside packs of palm dates, was handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which later secured a conviction and forfeiture order in favor of the Federal Government.
That same month, officers at Abuja airport confiscated $193,000 concealed in a carton of yoghurt from a passenger inbound from Jeddah. At Lagos airport, $578,000 was intercepted from a South Africa returnee who falsely declared $279,000 while concealing an additional $299,000 in separate packages.
In another operation in July, Kano airport authorities seized foreign currencies worth about N653.99 million, including $420,900, 3,946,500 West African CFA francs, 224,000 Central African CFA francs, and €5,825 from yet another Saudi Arabia returnee. In Lagos, officials intercepted $29,000 from an outbound passenger who had only declared $6,000.
Reacting to the wave of interceptions, Mr. Pius Ujubuonu, a chieftain of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, attributed the trend to fiscal policy lapses.
“It’s a fiscal policy issue. Where you find widespread circumvention, something in the system isn’t adding up,” he said, urging the government to revisit its policies to encourage compliance.
Also commenting, Dr. Segun Musa, Deputy National President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, faulted the level of public sensitization.
“We need more aggressive campaigns to enlighten travelers about the rules,” he said, stressing that authorities must investigate cases thoroughly and impose appropriate sanctions.
The Customs Service has restated its directive that travelers must declare any cash above $10,000 or its equivalent. Declaration forms, it added, are available at airline counters to ensure compliance with the law.
