The Nigeria Customs Service has inaugurated a four-week World Customs Organisation mentoring mission to strengthen its capacity to detect and disrupt illicit financial flows, including money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
The mission, inaugurated at the Service’s headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, is funded by the United States Department of State and will run until November 13.
Speaking at the event, Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, stressed the need for sustained inter-agency collaboration, citing reforms that contributed to Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in 2025.
He said; “progress in combating financial crimes depended on coordinated efforts across relevant institutions, expressing confidence that Customs officers would benefit from knowledge-sharing with other administrations”.
The mission, themed “Strengthening Nigeria Customs Service Capabilities to Effectively Detect and Disrupt Illicit Financial Flows,” will include visits to selected Customs formations and allied agencies in Lagos, alongside capacity-building sessions for officers in Lagos and Abuja.
The WCO delegation comprises Jorge Lasmar, Lisa Vallese and Laurent Szymkowiak. Introducing the team, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Strategic Research and Policy, Nafiu Isiaku, outlined the delegation’s participation in the exercise.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Lasmar said; “the mission was designed to strengthen the Service’s capacity rather than assess its operations.”
He assured the NCS of the team’s cooperation, saying “a comprehensive report would be submitted at the end of the engagement.”
The initiative is expected to enhance Customs officers’ expertise and strengthen collaboration with relevant agencies in tackling cross-border financial crimes.
