The Nigeria Customs Service has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling illicit financial flows and terrorism financing through a sensitisation programme on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT).
The programme, held on Monday at the Service’s headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, was part of its first-quarter operational review and training for officers of the AML/CFT Unit. It focused on building capacity, promoting ethical standards, and enhancing inter-agency collaboration.
Speaking at the event, Assistant Comptroller-General in charge of Headquarters, Muhammad Shuaibu, said the initiative underscores the growing importance of AML/CFT operations within the Service and Nigeria’s broader financial and security architecture.
He noted that the Unit’s impact extends beyond ports and border stations, adding that its achievements over the past year have positioned it as a key component in safeguarding the nation’s financial system.
Shuaibu also highlighted improvements in Nigeria’s financial ecosystem, noting that Nigerian-issued bank cards are now globally functional, enabling seamless international transactions with automatic currency conversion.
He described this development as a major milestone, saying it allows Nigerians to carry out transactions abroad with ease in local currencies.
The senior officer further encouraged personnel to view postings to the AML/CFT Unit as opportunities for career growth, rather than punitive assignments, while noting ongoing collaboration with the World Customs Organization to align operations with global standards.
Also speaking, Acting Provost Marshal, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Saulawa Sunusi, stressed the need for discipline, professionalism, and integrity in service delivery.
He urged officers to uphold ethical conduct, improve their skills through continuous training, and demonstrate leadership by example, while maintaining fairness and punctuality.
Sunusi further emphasised the importance of internal collaboration and effective conflict resolution, noting that strong synergy is vital for operational success.
Participants were advised to remain vigilant, maintain high morale, and avoid unauthorised disclosure of sensitive information, while adhering strictly to communication protocols.
The session also featured a lecture by Deputy Comptroller Faisal Abubakar on service correspondence, highlighting its importance in official communication.
In his remarks, National Coordinator of AML/CFT, Assistant Comptroller Mas’ud Salihu, noted that financial crimes are increasingly shifting to digital and virtual platforms.
He said efforts are ongoing to strengthen enforcement mechanisms, address operational gaps, and improve communication between field officers and management.
Salihu stressed that sensitisation remains critical in combating financial crimes and urged officers to remain proactive in identifying and countering emerging threats, while commending participants and the Service’s leadership for their continued support.