In a significant move to bolster national financial security and facilitate Nigeria’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), organised a two-day empowerment workshop for fifty law enforcement officers.
The workshop, themed “Proactive Detection of Non/False Currency Declaration and Application of Appropriate Sanctions”, took place in Abuja.
During the opening address, EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede stressed that the workshop was a critical government initiative aimed at exiting the FATF grey list—a step he insisted was of paramount importance.
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Speaking through the Commandant of the EFCC Academy, Deputy Commander Chinwe Ndubeze, the EFCC leader explained that the training was designed to equip officers at key entry points—including land borders, seaports, and airports—with essential investigative skills.
These skills are necessary for the proactive detection of non-declared or falsely declared currencies, which are frequently exploited in money laundering, terrorist financing, and other economic and financial crimes.
Representatives from multiple agencies attended the workshop, including the EFCC, Customs, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), NFIU, Department of State Security (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Port Authority, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, and Aviation Security.
The event fostered inter-agency collaboration and established the formidable synergy needed to support the implementation of FATF recommendations, with authorities aiming for Nigeria’s removal from the grey list by May 2025.
The training also focused on empowering participants with the necessary skills to apprehend, prosecute, and sanction offenders involved in currency declaration fraud, thereby denying them the proceeds of their crimes.
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In his remarks, Comptroller-General of the NCS, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi—represented by Comptroller S.M. Yahaya—highlighted the longstanding collaboration between the NCS and other agencies.
“We are proud of our successes and will continue to collaborate and synergize for the common goal of a safer and more prosperous nation,” he stated.
