The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has graduated its senior officers from a complex operations training aimed at enhancing the Service’s delivery capacity.
The graduation ceremony was held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) in Lagos on Friday, July 11, 2025.
Speaking at the event, the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, described the training as “a different level” of professional development, designed to equip senior officers to confront emerging global trade, security, and customs administration challenges.
“We have structures for basic training, refresher courses, and command and staff college programmes, but this is a different level. With trainings like this, we expose our officers to global best practices, the dynamics in international trade, and how it affects their job on a day-to-day basis,” CGC Adeniyi stated.
He affirmed that the programme would undergo a thorough review before the launch of a second batch, emphasising the importance of curriculum evaluation and operational feedback.
“We will do some evaluation. We will assess what worked, what didn’t work during the course, and what components we can add or subtract. So that will determine, actually, when we can do the second batch,” the Customs boss said.
He added: “As for participants, the first graduates, these are accomplished Customs officers. They are the future of the Service. I expect they will be ambassadors of positive changes in the Service.”
On his part, the Director-General of the NIIA, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, commended the NCS for investing in human capital, highlighting the initiative’s broader implications for national development.
“This is not just for the participants; it’s for the Service. The CGC has just been elected as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), acknowledging what the Service stands for. So, this is part of the process of strengthening the capacity of the NCS for better delivery, especially in the light of the more complex and increasingly challenging circumstances under which they have to operate,” Professor Osaghae remarked.
Participants expressed gratitude to the NCS leadership for the opportunity to enhance their expertise.
