Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has activated its commitment to battling illicit financial flows and terrorism financing through a sensitisation programme on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT).
The engagement held at its headquarters in Abuja, formed part of the Service’s first quarter operational review meeting and training for officers of the AML/CFT Unit.
It centred around enhancing capacity, promoting ethical standards and strengthening inter-agency collaboration.
During the session, the Assistant Comptroller-General in charge of Headquarters, ACG Muhammad Shuaibu, said the initiative reflected the growing importance of AML/CFT operations within the Service and Nigeria’s broader financial and security framework.
He noted that the impact of the Unit extended beyond seaports, airports and border stations.
He added that its achievements over the past years had positioned it as a critical component in safeguarding the nation’s financial system.
ACG Shuaibu who also highlighted improvements in Nigeria’s financial ecosystem, noted that Nigerian-issued bank cards had become globally functional, enabling seamless international transactions with automatic currency conversion.
“This is a major milestone. Nigerians can now travel and use their cards anywhere in the world, with transactions reflecting the local currency. This is a significant achievement for the nation,” he said.
He further emphasised that postings to the AML/CFT Unit should be seen as opportunities for career growth and capacity development, rather than punitive assignments.
He also referenced ongoing collaboration with the World Customs Organization (WCO) to align operations with global best practices.
The Ag. Provost Marshal, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Saulawa Sunusi, stressed the importance of integrity, professionalism and discipline in the discharge of duties.
“Officers must remain disciplined, professional, and committed to ethical conduct. Integrity remains the foundation of everything we do,” he said.
He urged officers to continually build their capacity through training and to demonstrate leadership by example, while maintaining high standards of punctuality, fairness and professionalism.
Sunusi also highlighted the need for effective collaboration and conflict resolution within the Service, noting that strong internal synergy is essential for operational success.
Participants were advised to remain vigilant, maintain high morale and carry out their duties without bias.
They were also cautioned against unauthorised sharing of sensitive information and urged to adhere strictly to established communication protocols.
The session featured a lecture by Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Faisal Abubakar on service correspondence, where officers were guided on its importance and application in official communication.
In his remarks, National Coordinator of AML/CFT, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Mas’ud Salihu, highlighted the evolving nature of financial crimes, noting that illicit activities are increasingly shifting into digital and virtual spaces.
He explained that ongoing effort focused on strengthening enforcement mechanisms, identifying operational gaps and improving communication between field officers and management.
Salihu, who stressed that sensitisation remained a key strategy in tackling financial crimes, also urged officers to remain proactive in identifying and blocking emerging threats.
