Customs Launches WCO Mentoring Mission To Tackle Illicit Financial Flows

By Stella Okocha

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has inaugurated a World Customs Organisation, WCO, Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism, AML/CFT, Mentoring Mission to strengthen its capacity to detect and disrupt cross-border financial crimes.

The mission, themed “Strengthening Nigeria Customs Service Capabilities to Effectively Detect and Disrupt Illicit Financial Flows,” was inaugurated on Monday, October 19, 2026, at the Service headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.

Funded by the United States Department of State, the four-week exercise will run from October 18 to November 13, 2026, with visits to Customs formations in Lagos and allied agencies, as well as capacity-building training for officers in Lagos and Abuja.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said coordinated efforts remain critical in combating money laundering and terrorism financing, recalling reforms by government agencies that led to Nigeria’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force, FATF, grey list in 2025.

Adeniyi stressed the need for sustained inter-agency collaboration, noting that progress in one institution must be matched by improvements in others.

“Competent officers who have passion for the job will give you all the cooperation to ensure we learn from other Customs administrations regarding what we are doing and how we can do better,” he said.

Assistant Comptroller-General in charge of Strategic Research and Policy, Nafiu Isiaku, introduced the WCO delegation comprising Jorge Lasmar, Lisa Vallese and Laurent Szymkowiak.

Speaking on behalf of the team, Lasmar said the mission is not an assessment but an engagement to further strengthen the Service.

“The mission is not an assessment of Customs operations, but an engagement aimed at further strengthening the capacity of the Nigeria Customs Service,” Lasmar said.

He thanked the NCS leadership for its cooperation and assured that a comprehensive report will be submitted at the end of the mission.

The engagement is expected to boost the Service’s expertise and collaboration with relevant agencies in curbing illicit financial flows.