The Nigeria Customs Service says it intercepted undeclared foreign currencies worth over $2.2 million at three major airports across the country between January and July 2025.
According to The PUNCH, 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 Customs reports, the largest single bust occurred in March at the Kano airport, where officials uncovered $1,154,900 and SR135,900 (Saudi Riyals) concealed in cartons of palm dates.
The suspect, who had flown in from Saudi Arabia, was arrested and the money handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The case later resulted in a conviction and forfeiture to the Federal Government.
In the same month, officers at Abuja airport found $193,000 hidden inside a yoghurt carton brought in by a passenger from Jeddah. At Lagos airport, another passenger arriving from South Africa declared $279,000 but was caught with an additional $299,000, bringing the total undeclared amount to $578,000.
In July, Customs officers in Kano discovered another large haul from a returning passenger, consisting of $420,900, 3,946,500 West African CFA francs, 224,000 Central African CFA francs and €5,825, with a total estimated value of about ₦653.99 million. Similarly, in Lagos, an outbound traveller was apprehended with $29,000, though only $6,000 was declared.
Reacting to the surge in currency seizures, a chieftain of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, Mr. Pius Ujubuonu, blamed loopholes in government policy.
“It’s a fiscal policy issue,” Ujubuonu said. “Anywhere you have high rates of circumvention, there is something that does not add up there. The government should review its fiscal policies to encourage people to declare their funds.”
Deputy National President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, Dr. Segun Musa, said the government must intensify efforts beyond arrests.
“We need more rigorous campaigns to make the general public aware of the rules,” he stressed. “Beyond seizing funds, there should be thorough investigations to determine the sources of the money and ensure appropriate punishments.”
The Customs Service reiterated that travelers carrying cash above $10,000 or its equivalent in other currencies are required by law to declare it at entry and exit points. Officials said declaration forms are readily available at airline counters for passengers’ compliance.
