The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has inaugurated the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Mentoring Mission to strengthen its capacity to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
The mission was inaugurated at the NCS Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, on Monday, October 19, 2026, and will run until November 13, 2026. It is funded by the United States Department of State.
The mission, themed “Strengthening Nigeria Customs Service Capabilities to Effectively Detect and Disrupt Illicit Financial Flows,” aims to enhance the Service’s capacity to combat cross-border financial crimes.
Activities will include visits to selected Customs formations in Lagos and key allied agencies, as well as capacity-building training for officers in Lagos and Abuja.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts in combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
CGC Adeniyi recalled the reforms undertaken by government agencies that led to Nigeria’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in 2025.
He stressed the need for sustained collaboration among relevant agencies, noting that progress in one institution must be matched by improvements in others.
Adeniyi expressed confidence in the officers’ commitment to the exercise.
“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.
Following the CGC’s remarks, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Strategic Research and Policy (S&RP), Nafiu Isiaku, introduced the WCO delegation, comprising Jorge Lasmar, Lisa Vallese, and Laurent Szymkowiak.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Lasmar explained that the mission was aimed at improving the Service’s capacity and effectiveness.
“The mission is not an assessment of Customs operations, but an engagement aimed at further strengthening the capacity of the Nigeria Customs Service,” he stated.
Lasmar thanked the NCS and the CGC for their guidance and cooperation, assuring them that the team would submit a comprehensive report at the end of the mission.
The engagement is expected to strengthen the Service’s ability to detect and disrupt illicit financial flows through enhanced expertise and collaboration with relevant agencies.
