The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has inaugurated a four-week mentoring mission by the World Customs Organisation (WCO) to strengthen its capacity to detect and disrupt illicit financial flows, money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
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 NCS Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
Funded by the United States Department of State, the exercise will run from October 18 to November 13, 2026, with activities including visits to selected Customs formations and relevant partner agencies in Lagos, as well as capacity-building training for officers in Lagos and Abuja.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, emphasised the importance of inter-agency collaboration in tackling money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
Adeniyi recalled the reforms implemented by government agencies that contributed to Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list in 2025, stressing the need to sustain the gains through continued cooperation among relevant institutions.
He noted that progress in combating illicit financial activities required coordinated efforts across agencies, adding that improvements in one institution must be matched by corresponding progress in others.
The Customs chief expressed confidence in the commitment and professionalism of officers participating in the mentoring programme.
“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.
Following the Comptroller-General’s remarks, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs 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 delegation, Lasmar explained that the mission was designed to strengthen the operational capacity and effectiveness of the Nigeria Customs Service rather than assess its existing operations.
“The mission is not an assessment of Customs operations, but an engagement aimed at further strengthening the capacity of the Nigeria Customs Service,” he said.
Lasmar thanked the NCS management and the Comptroller-General for their guidance and cooperation, assuring that the delegation would submit a comprehensive report at the conclusion of the exercise.
The mentoring mission is expected to enhance the expertise of Customs officers in identifying suspicious financial transactions, detecting illicit financial flows and strengthening measures against cross-border financial crimes.
It is also expected to deepen collaboration between the NCS and relevant domestic and international partners in addressing money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
