Customs CG Adeniyi Bags MARCON Lifetime Achievement Award as Aliyu, Kaila, Balogun, Afeni, 7 Others Earn Honours

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi PhD, is to be honoured alongside 11 other senior Customs officers by the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria (MARCON) in recognition of their outstanding contributions to customs administration, revenue generation, trade facilitation, anti-smuggling operations and national economic development.

According to MARCON, the awards are designed to celebrate exemplary leadership within the Service and recognise officers whose commitment to innovation, professionalism, operational excellence and stakeholder engagement has continued to strengthen the nation’s maritime, trade and border management architecture.

CGC Adeniyi is to receive the MARCON Lifetime Achievement Award for his exceptional leadership and enduring contributions to Nigeria’s Customs administration, maritime industry and international trade.

MARCON explained that Adeniyi’s remarkable stewardship has transformed the Nigeria Customs Service through unprecedented revenue growth, institutional reforms and the deployment of technology-driven customs solutions.

It also cited his successful implementation of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System, support for the National Single Window initiative, expansion of the Authorised Economic Operator Programme, strengthened anti-smuggling operations, the Customs Cares Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative and his re-election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organization Council as defining milestones that have elevated both the Service and Nigeria’s standing in global customs administration.

Also on the honours list is Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, Controller of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, who is to receive the MARCON Excellence Award in Anti-Smuggling Operations and Economic Protection.

The organisation said Aliyu has distinguished himself through intelligence-led enforcement operations, sustained suppression of smuggling activities and the interception of prohibited goods across the South-West operational corridor. It added that his operational discipline, professionalism and unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation’s economy have continued to reinforce public confidence in the NCS.

Another recipient is Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Seme Command, who is to be honoured with the MARCON Trade Facilitation and Border Security Excellence Award.

MARCON noted that Kaila has successfully balanced robust border security with seamless trade facilitation at one of Nigeria’s busiest international border posts. It commended his outstanding revenue performance, promotion of legitimate cross-border trade, strengthened stakeholder engagement and intelligence-driven anti-smuggling operations, which have enhanced compliance while protecting Nigeria’s economic interests.

Similarly, Comptroller Bishir Abdullahi Balogun, Controller of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C, is to receive the MARCON Award of Excellence in Anti-Smuggling Enforcement and National Economic Protection.

MARCON stated that the award recognises Balogun’s strategic enforcement initiatives, sustained anti-smuggling operations and commitment to protecting national revenue through intelligence-driven interventions. His leadership, the organisation added, has strengthened operational effectiveness within Zone C while contributing significantly to national economic security and the protection of local industries.

Comptroller Hauwa Abubakar, CAC, Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, is to be honoured with the MARCON Revenue Generation and Trade Facilitation Excellence Award.

According to MARCON, Abubakar has positioned the Command among the Service’s leading revenue-generating formations through outstanding fiscal performance and efficient customs administration. The organisation further acknowledged her commitment to facilitating legitimate trade, improving cargo clearance processes, and creating a more business-friendly environment for investors operating within the Lagos Free Trade Zone and Lekki Deep Sea Port.

In Rivers State, Comptroller Aliyu Alkali, CAC of Port Harcourt Area II Command, is to receive the MARCON Excellence Award in Revenue Generation and Industrial Trade Facilitation.

MARCON said Alkali has demonstrated exceptional leadership in promoting industrial trade through one of Nigeria’s foremost oil and gas logistics gateways. His commitment to improved revenue performance, efficient cargo handling, and the seamless movement of industrial and project cargo has contributed immensely to investment promotion, industrialisation and national economic development.

Also to be recognised is Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku, CAC, Port Harcourt Area I Command, who is to receive the MARCON Excellence Award in Trade Facilitation and Export Promotion.

The organisation said Atuluku has consistently promoted legitimate trade through improved stakeholder engagement, efficient cargo clearance procedures and initiatives designed to encourage compliance while supporting the growth of non-oil exports. MARCON noted that these efforts have contributed meaningfully to the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda and strengthened confidence in Nigeria’s maritime trade environment.

For his remarkable performance at the Ibeto Area V Seaport Command, Comptroller Usman Yahaya, is also to be honoured with the MARCON Award of Excellence in Revenue Generation and Trade Facilitation.

MARCON stated that Yahaya has distinguished himself through improved revenue generation, enhanced cargo clearance processes and proactive stakeholder engagement. The organisation also recognised his commitment to transparency, institutional discipline and operational efficiency, which have strengthened investor confidence and improved service delivery.

The CAC of Ogun II Command, Comptroller Olusola Akingbade is to receive the MARCON Excellence Award for Trade Facilitation and Revenue Generation.

MARCON said Akingbade has continued to strengthen customs processes, improve operational efficiency and deepen collaboration with manufacturers, importers and other stakeholders under the Command. The organisation further noted that her commitment to promoting transparency, professionalism and a business-friendly customs environment has supported industrial operations and enhanced Nigeria’s ease of doing business.

Meanwhile, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, Acting CAC of Ogun I Area Command, is to be honoured with the MARCON Excellence Award in Anti-Smuggling Operations and Border Security.

According to MARCON, Afeni has demonstrated outstanding leadership in strengthening border security through intelligence-driven enforcement, strategic anti-smuggling operations and effective collaboration with sister security agencies. The organisation added that his ability to balance strict enforcement with trade facilitation and constructive stakeholder engagement has further enhanced the operational effectiveness of the Command.

In the North-West, Deputy Comptroller Usman Adamu, Acting Controller of the Kano/Jigawa Area Command, is to receive the MARCON Excellence Award in Trade Facilitation and Economic Security.

MARCON said Adamu has continued to strengthen customs administration through improved trade facilitation, enhanced revenue generation, and intelligence-led anti-smuggling operations. These achievements, the organisation noted, have contributed significantly to economic activities within the region while supporting national economic security.

Completing the list of awardees is Deputy Comptroller Wale Adewole, Acting Customs Area Controller of the Oyo/Osun Area Command, who is to receive the MARCON Excellence Award in Revenue Generation and Trade Facilitation.

MARCON said Adewole has distinguished himself through remarkable achievements in revenue generation, trade facilitation, anti-smuggling operations and stakeholder engagement. It added that his professionalism, operational discipline and commitment to promoting legitimate trade have contributed immensely to advancing the Federal Government’s economic objectives.

Chairman of the MARCON 2026 Conference Planning Committee, Paul Ogbuokiri, said the awardees were carefully selected in recognition of their outstanding leadership, professionalism and measurable contributions to Customs administration, trade facilitation, border security and national economic development.

“We are honouring officers whose leadership has produced measurable results in revenue generation, trade facilitation, border security, anti-smuggling operations and institutional reforms. Through their commitment to professionalism, innovation and public service, they have strengthened the Nigeria Customs Service and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s economic development.

“MARCON believes that recognising excellence will inspire even greater service and reinforce the culture of accountability, integrity and outstanding performance within the maritime sector,” Ogbuokiri said.

The awards will be presented during the MARCON 2026 Annual Conference, scheduled to hold on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The conference is expected to attract the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, and other key agencies and stakeholders across Nigeria’s maritime and trade sectors.