***Highlights Anti-Money Laundering Efforts
By Miriam Humbe
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) processed 9,195 Pre-Arrival Assessment Reports (PAARs) and 99,839 Single Goods Declarations (SGDs) between September and October 2026, reflecting sustained efforts to facilitate legitimate trade, improve cargo clearance processes and enhance revenue generation.
The figures were disclosed during a joint security press briefing at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) on Thursday, 5 November 2026.
Speaking at the briefing, the Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, said the performance reflected the Service’s continued commitment to improving trade processes through efficient documentation, digital interventions, and stronger collaboration with stakeholders across the trade value chain.
A breakdown of the figures showed that the Service processed 2,102 PAARs in September and 7,093 in October, bringing the total to 9,195 within the two months.
Similarly, 48,832 SGDs were processed in September, while 51,007 were recorded in October, giving a combined total of 99,839 declarations. Revenue collection stood at ₦697,839,888,131.52 in September and ₦722,911,741,128.92 in October, amounting to ₦1,420,751,629,260.44 for the period under review.
The Service also recorded progress in export trade facilitation. At the Lilypond Export Command, export activities in the third quarter of 2026 generated a total export value of $752.85 million, compared with $586.15 million in the corresponding period of 2025.
This represents an increase of approximately 22.14 per cent, reflecting the export sector’s growing contribution and the impact of measures aimed at facilitating non-oil exports.
Beyond trade facilitation, the NCS sustained its enforcement responsibilities, recording seizures of prohibited and restricted items during the review period, with a combined Duty Paid Value exceeding ₦8.1 billion.
The interceptions covered various categories, including illicit drugs, pharmaceutical products, prohibited goods and petroleum products.
The Service maintained collaboration with relevant regulatory and security agencies to ensure the appropriate handling and disposition of seized items.
On its anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) responsibilities, the Service highlighted the ongoing World Customs Organisation (WCO) Mentoring Mission, inaugurated on 19 October 2026.
The four-week engagement, scheduled to run from 18 October to 13 November 2026, is designed to strengthen the capacity of the NCS to identify, investigate and address trade-based money laundering and other illicit financial activities associated with cross-border trade.
As part of the mission, the Service held engagements with six relevant agencies between 27 and 29 October 2026, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).
The Service also highlighted its transition to an electronic currency declaration platform as part of efforts to improve transparency, strengthen monitoring, and enhance the detection of illicit financial flows across the nation’s borders.
The briefing also highlighted the Service’s contribution to environmental and wildlife protection. During the period under review, six live pangolins were rescued in separate operations in Ogun State: three by the Ogun I Area Command and three by the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A.
The animals were subsequently handed over to the Green Fingers Wildlife Conservation Initiative for appropriate care and rehabilitation, in line with the country’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
