By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the World Customs Organisation (WCO) have strengthened their collaboration to combat the financing of terrorism and money laundering through improved capacity to detect and disrupt illicit financial flows across borders.
The initiative followed the inauguration of the WCO Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Mentoring Mission at the NCS Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, on Monday, October 19, 2026.
According to the Service, the four-week mission, funded by the United States Department of State, will run from October 18 to November 13, 2026, focusing on strengthening Customs officers’ capacity to identify suspicious financial activities and improve enforcement against cross-border financial crimes.
The programme will include visits to selected Customs formations in Lagos and key partner agencies, as well as specialised capacity-building training for officers in Lagos and Abuja.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, emphasised the importance of coordinated efforts among relevant agencies in tackling money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
Adeniyi recalled the reforms undertaken by government agencies that contributed to Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in 2025, stressing the need to sustain the gains through continued cooperation and stronger institutional capacity.
He noted that progress in one agency must be matched by improvements in other relevant institutions to ensure an effective response to illicit financial activities.
The Customs chief expressed confidence in the participating officers, saying, “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.”
Earlier, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Strategic Research and Policy, Nafiu Isiaku, introduced the WCO delegation comprising Jorge Lasmar, Lisa Vallese and Laurent Szymkowiak.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Lasmar clarified that the exercise was designed to strengthen the operational capacity of the Nigeria Customs Service rather than assess 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.
Lasmar thanked the NCS management and the Comptroller-General for their cooperation, assuring that the delegation would submit a comprehensive report at the conclusion of the mission.
The collaboration is expected to strengthen the expertise of Customs officers, improve coordination with relevant agencies and enhance the Service’s ability to identify and disrupt financial networks that support terrorism and other criminal activities.
The initiative also highlights the role of international partnerships and specialised training in strengthening Nigeria’s efforts to combat financial crimes and safeguard the country’s economic and national security.
