The Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has commended retiring Deputy Comptroller-General Dera Nnadi and Assistant Comptroller-General Kingsley Egwu for their decades of service to the nation.
CGC Adeniyi gave the commendation during a pulling-out ceremony held at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College in Gwagwalada on Friday, March 13, 2026, to honour the outgoing senior officers.
The ceremony brought together members of the Customs management team, senior officers, colleagues and well-wishers.
Adeniyi affirmed that the occasion provided an opportunity for the Service to recognise the professional contributions and dedication of the retiring officers.
Represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Training and Doctrine Command, Sulaiman Chiroma, the CGC noted that careers in the Service are defined not only by the ranks attained but also by the values officers uphold and the impact they make on the institution.
“This parade is not only a ceremonial farewell. It is also an opportunity for the Nigeria Customs Service to express appreciation for the professionalism, discipline and dedication that these officers demonstrated throughout their years in service,” he said.
The Customs boss described DCG Nnadi as a seasoned officer who served in several strategic Commands where the responsibilities of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and border security intersect.
He stated that Nnadi’s years in service were marked by professionalism and a strong sense of duty, stressing that he also contributed to policy discussions on Customs modernisation and Nigeria’s participation in continental trade initiatives.
“He brought intellectual depth to strategic conversations within the Service and also played an important mentoring role for younger officers.”
CGC Adeniyi equally commended ACG Egwu for his role in advancing reforms that strengthened Customs administration, particularly through the adoption of technology aimed at improving transparency and operational efficiency.
“His contributions helped lay the foundation for several automated systems that are now supporting the Service’s operations.”
He further recalled Egwu’s tenure as the 10th Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, noting that his emphasis on discipline, knowledge, and ethical conduct helped shape the training of many officers.
In his response, DCG Nnadi expressed gratitude to God and the NCS for the opportunity to serve the nation. “My journey in the Service has been defined by dedication, learning and commitment to the institutional mandate of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and border security,” he said.
Nnadi disclosed that the achievements recorded during his career were the result of teamwork and shared professional values among officers of the Service.
“The successes we recorded were possible because of the collective effort of officers who remained committed to the ideals of the Service,” he remarked.
He urged serving officers to remain disciplined and adaptable, emphasising that the changing nature of global trade requires Customs administrations to continually strengthen their operational and policy frameworks.
“The evolving trade environment demands innovation, modernisation, and stronger institutional capacity,” he added.
On his part, ACG Egwu described his more than three decades in the Service as both demanding and fulfilling. “My career in the Nigeria Customs Service has been a journey of learning, growth, and collaboration with dedicated colleagues,” he acknowledged.
Egwu paid tribute to officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, describing them as heroes whose sacrifices contributed to national security.
He urged serving officers to guard their integrity and remain committed to the responsibilities entrusted to them. “Public service is a privilege that must be carried with honour. Leadership positions are temporary, but the reputation you build through integrity will always endure,” he advised.
He expressed appreciation to the CGC for the confidence reposed in him through key assignments, including his tenure as Commandant of the College and his subsequent role in the Tariff and Trade Department.
The ceremony concluded with tributes from colleagues and the presentation of honours to celebrate the retiring officers’ years of service to the nation.
