Uche Cecil Izuora
The Nigeria Customs Service has upgraded its internal capacity to tackle financial crime with a focused sensitisation and training event on Anti‑Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism at its National Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja. The workshop, held on 4 May 2026, was integrated into the Service’s first‑quarter operational review and brought together Anti‑Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism officers for skill‑building, policy alignment, and ethics reinforcement.
Assistant Comptroller‑General Muhammad Shuaibu, supervising Headquarters operations, said the exercise demonstrates the growing centrality of the Anti‑Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Unit in the Service mandate and the country’s financial‑crime response framework. He explained that the Unit’s remit now extends beyond physical border points to digital transactions, payment systems, and international financial flows, making it a key player in securing Nigeria’s economic space.
Shuaibu also pointed to the enhanced usability of Nigerian bank cards abroad, noting that cardholders can now transact in multiple countries with automatic conversion between currencies. He described this as a major step in the nation’s financial openness, while warning that such openness must be safeguarded through robust monitoring, cross‑border cooperation, and strong internal controls.
The Assistant Comptroller‑General urged the Nigeria Customs Service to treat Anti‑Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism postings as career‑enhancing roles that offer exposure to advanced compliance and investigative work, and affirmed the Service’s ongoing collaboration with the World Customs Organization to align its practices with global benchmarks. Ag. Provost Marshal Saulawa Sunusi called on officers to uphold high moral and professional standards, stressing that integrity, discipline, and accountability form the bedrock of effective customs operations.
Sunusi encouraged continuous professional development, upright conduct, and impartial execution of duties, while warning against insubordination, laxity, and the unauthorised release of sensitive information. He highlighted the importance of strong internal relationships, timely feedback, and a culture of openness, noting that cohesion within the Service bolsters its ability to respond to financial and security threats.
The event included a session on service correspondence led by Deputy Comptroller Faisal Abubakar, who outlined best practices for drafting clear, concise, and compliant official communications. National Coordinator of the Anti‑Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Unit, Mas’ud Salihu, said that criminals are increasingly operating in digital and virtual environments, using mobile platforms, online wallets, and crypto‑related channels to move illicit funds.
He said the Nigeria Customs Service is working to strengthen its enforcement capabilities, close loopholes, and improve the flow of actionable intelligence between frontline units and headquarters. Salihu described sensitisation and training as key to building a more adaptive, proactive, and ethically grounded Anti‑Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism cadre, praising both officers and management for their sustained commitment to institutional capacity‑building and national financial security.