The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a stern directive to all international airlines operating in the country, mandating full enforcement of the $10,000 currency declaration rule for inbound passengers.
The directive, contained in a circular referenced NCAA/CPD/ABV/298 and dated April 24, 2025, is part of Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen compliance with anti-money laundering regulations and align with international financial standards.
In a statement released by NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, on Tuesday via his official X handle, the aviation regulator ordered airlines to take two critical steps to ensure compliance:
Pre-landing Announcements: Airlines must make in-flight or pre-landing announcements informing passengers of their legal obligation to declare any cash or Bearer Negotiable Instruments (BNIs) exceeding $10,000 (or its equivalent) upon arrival in Nigeria.
Distribution of Declaration Forms: Currency declaration forms must be distributed on board for passengers to complete before landing.
Achimugu revealed that the NCAA had received reports of non-compliance by some airlines, warning that failure to adhere to this directive would attract sanctions.
The NCAA stressed that this measure is consistent with global best practices adopted by major aviation and financial markets to curb the illegal transportation of large sums of money across borders.
“The cooperation of all international airlines operating in Nigeria is crucial to supporting the country’s financial integrity and anti-money laundering framework,” the statement read.
The regulator emphasized that full implementation is “non-negotiable,” adding that monitoring teams would be deployed to ensure compliance. Non-compliant airlines risk penalties, including fines and other administrative sanctions.
The $10,000 currency declaration rule is not new but has often suffered from weak enforcement. The NCAA’s renewed push comes as Nigeria seeks to bolster its reputation in global financial transparency.
According to analysts, stricter enforcement could improve Nigeria’s ranking in Financial Action Task Force (FATF) compliance and reduce the risks of being listed among countries with weak anti-money laundering controls.
Passengers carrying amounts above the threshold are required to declare at designated points on arrival. Failure to do so could result in seizure of undeclared funds, questioning by security agencies, or legal penalties under Nigeria’s Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
Airlines are now expected to incorporate these announcements into their standard operational procedures for flights heading into Nigeria.
Aviation analyst Tunde Adebayo welcomed the NCAA’s directive, stating, “Nigeria cannot afford to be seen as a safe haven for illicit financial flows. Proper enforcement by airlines will make a huge difference in curbing cross-border money laundering.”
Financial experts also noted that with Nigeria’s increasing cross-border trade and cash-based economy, the directive could improve transparency and boost investor confidence.
Similar currency declaration limits exist in the United States, European Union, and Gulf countries, where inbound passengers must declare amounts above $10,000 or its equivalent. The NCAA’s directive, therefore, aligns Nigeria with these global norms.
The NCAA reiterated that its enforcement teams would work with the Nigeria Customs Service, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and other security agencies to ensure full compliance.
Passengers are advised to comply fully to avoid unnecessary delays or legal complications upon arrival.