…Leads Multi-Agency Scoping Mission in Abuja
By Lawal Bushra
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its leadership role in advancing regional collaboration against money laundering and terrorist financing with the successful hosting of a three-day multi-agency scoping mission held at the NCS Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, from April 28 to 30, 2025.
The high-level engagement brought together key stakeholders to assess existing frameworks and explore practical strategies for joint action on Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Financing of Terrorism (CFT) across West Africa.
Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, was Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Finance, Administration and Technical Services (FATS), DCG Bello Jibo, who presided over the closing session of the mission. In his closing remarks, DCG Jibo emphasised the NCS’s unwavering commitment to inter-agency collaboration, stating:
“The Nigeria Customs Service is committed to best practices and effective synergy with other relevant agencies. This partnership remains critical in our shared fight against illicit financial flows.”
The scoping mission, facilitated by the SecFin West Africa Hub, attracted participants from top government and international agencies including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the Nigeria Police Force.
Coordinator of the SecFin West Africa Hub, Mrs. Stephanie Berthoneau, led her delegation in outlining a strategic roadmap to strengthen AML/CFT mechanisms across the region. She reaffirmed SecFin’s technical support to Customs and partner agencies, saying,
“We are here to ensure that our frameworks are robust, and that technical assistance is targeted and practical for all stakeholders involved.”
In a pivotal moment of the session, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Saliu, who leads the NCS AML team, delivered an in-depth presentation on Trade-Based Money Laundering (TBML). He showcased the evolving role of Customs in detecting illicit financial activities through trade channels and stressed the value of technological innovation.
“With the introduction of ICT-driven platforms such as B’odogwu, the Nigeria Customs Service continues to set the pace among regional Customs administrations,” he noted.
Earlier, Muhammed Ahmad from NFIU delivered the opening address, stressing the urgency of cross-border cooperation in addressing threats of financial crime. He called on agencies to intensify collaboration to safeguard the region’s economic integrity.
Also representing the NCS at the session was Assistant Comptroller General of Customs in of Headquarters, ACG Isa Umar, who was ably represented by Comptroller Hanel Hadison of the Special Duties.
The meeting concluded with renewed pledges from participating agencies to enhance intelligence sharing, policy alignment, and operational coordination. DCG Jibo particularly lauded the NCS AML team for their dedication, describing their work as instrumental to the Service’s proactive stance in combating financial crimes.
