By: Manoah Kikekon
IKEJA, LAGOS – In a push for modernization and institutional excellence, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has challenged Deputy Comptrollers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to spearhead innovation and prove their readiness to assume the highest leadership roles within the agency.
The charge was delivered on Thursday, July 16, 2026, during the closing ceremony of the intensive Strategic Refresher Course for Deputy Comptrollers, held at the Nigeria Customs pTraining College in Ikeja, Lagos.
Addressing the senior officers, CGC Adeniyi emphasized that modern customs administrations worldwide are rapidly evolving through digital transformation, advanced technologies, and structural reforms. He noted that continuous learning and adaptability are no longer optional for leadership personnel.
“You must put yourself ahead of all these developments. This is why we are investing a lot in building your capacity locally and internationally. You must demonstrate capacity, you must demonstrate readiness that you're ready to take on the leadership of the service,” Adeniyi stated.
The Customs boss further explained that true productivity and leadership effectiveness within the service are measured over time through rigorous performance management frameworks, rather than treated as isolated achievements.
Reinforcing the CGC's message, the Zonal Coordinator for Zone 'A', Assistant Comptroller-General Mohammed Babandede, called on the senior officers to act as exemplary models of discipline, integrity, and operational efficiency.
“As senior officers and true ambassadors of the NCS, you are now better positioned to set standards of discipline and professionalism, led by personal example, manage public perceptions through transparency and fairness, and make sound decisions during operational challenges and crises,” Babandede remarked.
Adding to the discourse, the Acting Provost Marshal, Deputy Comptroller Saulawa Sanusi, underscored the critical role of compliance and standard operating procedures (SOPs) in achieving the service's overarching goals. He revealed that the Customs Police Unit is actively strengthening compliance protocols through continuous engagement and training.
“The service has a standard operating procedure in virtually whatever we do. So for us to achieve that optimally, we need to keep reminding the officers, keep teaching them over and over again. Of course, you cannot achieve it overnight. You keep repeating the procedure until when the compliance level can now be said to be on the high level,” Sanusi noted.