AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a stern warning to international airlines operating in the country over their failure to enforce mandatory currency declaration procedures for inbound passengers.
In a directive dated April 24, 2025, the NCAA stressed that many airlines have not complied with the requirement for passengers entering Nigeria to declare cash or negotiable instruments exceeding $10,000 or its equivalent — a regulation aimed at strengthening anti-money laundering measures.
NCAA spokesperson Michael Achimugu, in a statement on Tuesday, disclosed that airlines are expected to announce the declaration rule either inflight or before landing and ensure passengers are provided with currency declaration forms to complete before arrival.
Despite earlier notifications, the NCAA said some carriers have continued to ignore the policy, warning that enforcement will now be closely monitored and non-compliant airlines will face sanctions.
“The cooperation of airlines is critical in ensuring Nigeria meets international financial standards,” the statement added, emphasizing that failure to act could undermine national efforts to combat financial crimes.
The directive reaffirms the NCAA’s commitment to closing compliance gaps and aligning aviation operations with global regulatory expectations.
