Customs, WCO launch four-week mission to tackle money laundering, terrorism financing

By Adebola Muili

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced a four-week capacity-building mission with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) to strengthen its ability to detect and disrupt illicit financial flows linked to money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

The mission, funded by the United States Department of State, will run from October 18 to November 13, 2026, with activities scheduled to include visits to selected Customs formations and relevant government agencies in Lagos, as well as training for officers in Lagos and Abuja.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, inaugurated the WCO Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Mentoring Mission at the Service’s headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, on Monday.

Speaking at the inauguration, Adeniyi emphasised the need for sustained cooperation among government agencies to combat financial crimes, drawing attention to the reforms that contributed to Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in 2025.

He said progress made by one agency must be matched by improvements in other institutions to ensure a coordinated response to money laundering and terrorism financing.

The Customs chief expressed confidence in the commitment of participating officers, stressing that their willingness to learn from international partners would help strengthen the Service’s enforcement capacity.

“Competent officers who have passion for the job will give you all the cooperation to ensure we learn from other Customs administrations regarding what we are doing and how we can do better,” he said.

The Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Strategic Research and Policy, Nafiu Isiaku, subsequently introduced the WCO delegation comprising Jorge Lasmar, Lisa Vallese and Laurent Szymkowiak.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Lasmar said the exercise was designed to build the Service’s capacity rather than evaluate its existing operations.

“The mission is not an assessment of Customs operations, but an engagement aimed at further strengthening the capacity of the Nigeria Customs Service,” he said.

He thanked the Service and the Comptroller-General for their cooperation, adding that the team would submit a comprehensive report at the end of the engagement.

The initiative is expected to strengthen officers’ expertise, improve cooperation with relevant agencies and enhance the Customs Service’s ability to identify and disrupt illicit financial activities across Nigeria’s borders.