NCAA Orders Airlines To Enforce $10,000 Currency Declaration Rule

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has ordered all international airlines flying into Nigeria to enforce the $10,000 currency declaration rule.

The aviation industry regulatory authority, in a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, via his official X account on Tuesday, indicated  the rule was required for passengers to declare cash or negotiable instruments above the limit, as part of efforts to strengthen the Federal Government’s anti-money laundering compliance drive.

The directive with reference No NCAA/CPD/ABV/298, dated 24 April 2025 had sought to address gaps in the enforcement of existing currency declaration obligations for inbound passengers.

The Director’s statement partly reads: “International carriers must take two key actions, which include “Make inflight or pre-landing announcements informing passengers of their legal obligation to declare any currency or Bearer Negotiable Instruments exceeding $10,000 USD or its equivalent upon arrival in Nigeria.

“Distribute currency declaration forms onboard for passengers to complete before landing. The NCAA has received reports indicating that some airlines are yet to comply with this directive”, it added.

The NCAA maintained that these requirements were consistent with international best practices and remained vital to preventing the illegal movement of large sums of money across borders.

It maintained that full cooperation from international airlines remained essential to the successful implementation of the directive,

Achimugu further clarified: “Please note that the cooperation of all international airlines operating in Nigeria is critical to supporting the country’s efforts to align with global financial standards.”

While stressing that full implementation of the latest directive, particularly as it concerns inbound passenger declarations, is of utmost importance, he maintained that “compliance will be closely monitored, and non-compliant airlines will face appropriate sanctions.”