Joseph Chibu
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has urged Deputy Comptrollers of Customs to prepare themselves for higher leadership responsibilities as the Service continues its drive to build a professional and future-ready workforce.
Adeniyi gave the charge at the closing ceremony of the Strategic Refresher Course for 180 Deputy Comptrollers in Zone ‘A’, Lagos, where participants underwent intensive training on leadership, ethics and modern customs administration.
The Customs boss stressed the importance of self-discipline, integrity and personal capacity development, warning officers against allowing personal interests to overshadow their responsibilities as leaders.
He encouraged the officers to continually update their knowledge, noting that customs operations have evolved significantly with the introduction of initiatives such as the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme and Time Release Studies (TRS).
According to him, the Nigeria Customs Service will continue investing in local and international capacity-building programmes to equip officers with the skills needed to effectively lead the Service.
Adeniyi also urged the Deputy Comptrollers to demonstrate competence and resist external influences capable of undermining the integrity and professionalism of the Service.
Earlier, the Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘A’, Assistant Comptroller-General Mohammed Babandede, said the refresher course reflected the Comptroller-General’s commitment to personnel development and preparing senior officers for higher responsibilities.
He noted that participants received training on information security, professional ethics in the digital age, cyber security awareness, social media etiquette, leadership, command presence and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
Also speaking, the Acting Provost Marshal of the Service, Deputy Comptroller Saulawa Sanusi, commended the Comptroller-General for approving the programme, describing it as a strategic investment in strengthening leadership capacity, professionalism and effective service delivery.
The training featured resource persons from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, serving and retired senior Customs officers, as well as legal practitioners, with participants encouraged to apply the knowledge acquired in advancing the Service’s reform agenda.