Following intensive training, the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC) has graduated 50 officers from its Junior Course 22 in Gwagwalada.
The graduation ceremony was held at the Ahmad Makarfi Hall, marking another milestone in the College’s mission to groom officers for higher responsibilities.
Speaking at the event on Friday, the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, urged the young officers to embrace innovation, discipline, and resilience as they advance in their careers.
CGC Adeniyi, who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Human Resources Development, DCG Greg Itotoh, acknowledged that the Service’s future depends on the officers’ commitment to excellence.
DCG Itotoh congratulated the graduates, affirming that their success resulted from hard work, resilience, and zeal to maintain the high level of discipline demanded by the institution.
He urged the officers not to rest on their laurels but to apply the lessons learnt to practical outcomes in their daily assignments.
“We can forget the harsh corrections, the restrictions, and the pain of training, but let us never forget the lessons learnt. As you return to your units, face the unknown with courage and determination, because as Customs officers, our duties are laced with challenges,” he said.
Itotoh also reminded the officers that, under CGC Adeniyi’s leadership, the Service prioritises innovation and encourages them to undertake tasks that improve efficiency and strengthen the NCS’s global standing.
Similarly, the Commandant of the College, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs ACG Oluyomi Adebakin, described the occasion as “a unique day” for the institution, noting that the graduating officers had endured rigorous training focused on leadership, discipline, and professional development.
“The Junior Course was designed to prepare young officers for the growing service demands in a complex and evolving operational environment. This cohort has invested significant mental, emotional, and physical effort, and their dedication has paid off,” ACG Adebakin stated.
She disclosed that beyond academics, the course incorporated health checks, physical exercises, and activities testing punctuality, teamwork, and conduct — all aimed at producing well-rounded officers.
The commandant also urged the officers to serve as “good ambassadors” of the College as they return to their Commands.
Outstanding participants were awarded in leadership, discipline, marksmanship, and academic excellence categories, highlighting the training’s overall impact. All 50 graduating students were also presented with certificates, signifying their successful course completion.
