The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it intercepted undeclared foreign currencies totalling $2.209 million at major airports across the country between January and July 2025.
The seizures were made at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano, according to reports obtained from the service.
In one of the biggest busts, officers at Kano airport intercepted $1,154,900 and SR135,900 concealed in packs of palm dates from a passenger arriving from Saudi Arabia in March. The suspect was arrested, and the cash was handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), leading to a court conviction and forfeiture to the Federal Government.
That same month, $193,000 in undeclared cash was discovered in a carton of yoghurt at Abuja airport, while Lagos airport officials seized $578,000 from an inbound passenger from South Africa who had declared only $279,000 but concealed an extra $299,000.
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In July, another interception at Kano airport uncovered foreign currencies worth about ₦653.99 million, including $420,900, 3.95 million West African CFA francs, 224,000 Central African CFA francs, and €5,825. In Lagos, an outbound passenger was also caught with $29,000 but declared only $6,000.
Industry experts say the trend reflects deeper policy challenges. A chieftain of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, Pius Ujubuonu, said the rise in undeclared cash was linked to fiscal policy gaps. “Anywhere you have high rates of circumvention, there is something that does not add up,” he said, urging a policy review to encourage compliance.
Deputy National President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, Segun Musa, argued that awareness remains low. “We need more rigorous campaigns to make the general public aware of the rules,” he said, adding that thorough investigations should follow every seizure.
The NCS has reiterated that travellers must declare any cash above $10,000 or its equivalent, with forms available at airline counters for lawful declarations.
