NCAA urges international airlines to enforce currency declaration rules for inbound passengers

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a stern reminder to all international airlines operating inbound flights to Nigeria to strictly comply with currency declaration requirements for arriving passengers.

This directive is part of Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework in line with international standards.

The NCAA mandates that airlines must make inflight or pre-landing announcements informing passengers of their legal obligation to declare any currency or Bearer Negotiable Instruments (BNI) exceeding $10,000 USD, or its equivalent, upon arrival.

Additionally, airlines are required to distribute currency declaration forms onboard for passengers to complete before landing.

Michael Achimugu, the NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, in a statement underscored the importance of cooperation, stating, “The cooperation of all international airlines operating in Nigeria is critical to supporting the country’s efforts to align with global financial standards.”

The NCAA has noted that some airlines have yet to comply fully and warned that compliance will be closely monitored, with sanctions to be applied to any non-compliant carriers.

The authority reiterated that full implementation of this directive—particularly regarding inbound passenger declarations—is of utmost importance to Nigeria’s AML/CFT objectives.

“Please note that the cooperation of all international airlines operating in Nigeria is critical to supporting the country’s efforts to align with global financial standards.

“Accordingly, the Authority emphasizes that full implementation of this directive— particularly as it concerns inbound passenger declarations of utmost importance.

“Compliance will be closely monitored, and non-compliant airlines will face appropriate sanctions,” the statement added.