The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has achieved a major milestone in its digital transformation journey with the successful pilot deployment of the Electronic Currency Declaration Form (e-CDF) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The initiative, which commenced on 9 April 2025, represents a significant step forward in the Service’s ongoing modernisation efforts aimed at bolstering border security, enhancing transparency in financial disclosures, and aligning with global best practices in anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-financing of terrorism (CFT) measures.
Customs National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, said in a press statement on Friday that during the pilot phase, the e-CDF platform recorded a total of 69 currency declaration transactions. Of these, 51 were outbound declarations amounting to a total of $1.2 million while 18 inbound declarations recorded a combined value of $177,786.88.
He said the system enables travellers to digitally declare currency above the allowable threshold when entering or leaving the country, ensuring a more secure, efficient, and accountable process.
The newly introduced platform, according to the statement, offers real-time data collection, supporting intelligence-led operations and fostering inter-agency collaboration. It said the system ran seamlessly during the trial period, reinforcing its potential for broader national adoption.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, emphasised the Service’s commitment to embracing technology to improve compliance, facilitate legitimate travel and trade, and safeguard Nigeria’s borders.
“This is a significant achievement in our drive to modernise Customs operations and enhance national security. The successful deployment at Abuja Airport sets the stage for wider implementation across other international airports and border posts,” he stated.
With the Abuja pilot deemed a success, the NCS has announced plans to expand the e-CDF system nationwide, further solidifying its role as a forward-looking agency at the forefront of digital innovation in customs administration.