In a bid to boost its service delivery, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has organised a ‘Leadership Retreat’ for its newly promoted Comptrollers, focusing on skill enhancement and leadership development.
The 5-day retreat, which was in partnership with the Department of Human Resources Development and the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) started on Tuesday, 18 February 2025, at the Ahmad Makarfi Hall of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, Abuja.
While delivering a lecture titled “The Strategic Environment and Effective Service Delivery in the Nigeria Customs Service” in his opening address, the Comptroller-General of the NCS, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi highlighted the responsibilities that come with the new rank.
Comptroller Adeniyi enjoined the Comptrollers to see beyond themselves as key decision-makers responsible for driving policy implementation at various command levels.
“You have moved to this particular stage in service—more or less, you are now operating at the management level. For all you know, this is the last promotable rank you get, and because we interact with other members of society, you must know your roles at that level,” he advised.
The Customs boss charged the newly promoted Comptrollers to take a keen interest in the welfare of their subordinates, emphasising that leadership requires technical expertise and a deep sense of responsibility towards their officers.
He further encouraged them to uphold the integrity of the Service by protecting its interests and ensuring that their decisions align with Customs’ mandate.
“You have to be interested in the welfare of your staff members. You also have a duty to protect the interests and dignity of the Service. In addition, you must prioritise continuous training and capacity-building programmes for officers and men under your command,” the Customs leader added.
In his remarks, the Commander of TRADOC, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, (DCG) Sulaiman Chiroma, highlighted the significance of the retreat in shaping the leadership abilities of the newly promoted officers.
He expressed gratitude to CGC Adeniyi for facilitating the training, describing it as a “strategic investment in the future of the Service”.
His words: “This retreat is designed to sharpen your leadership skills and enhance your ability to navigate the complexities of modern Customs operations. As Comptrollers, you are pivotal in promoting trade facilitation, revenue generation, and economic growth. This training will give you the tools to effectively meet those responsibilities.”
Similarly, the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, delivered a lecture titled “Stakeholders’ Management, Media Relations, and Employee Engagement”.
Maiwada, during his lecture, explained the importance of effective communication in fostering strong relationships with external and internal stakeholders.
He urged the Comptrollers to cultivate a proactive approach in dealing with the media and the public, thereby ensuring that information about Customs’ activities is communicated clearly and accurately.
The spokesperson also stressed the need for maintaining a positive working relationship with employees, noting that effective leadership depends on trust, motivation, and collaboration.
However, the 5th day of the retreat focused on leadership ethics, stakeholders’ engagement, and national security, where Comptroller Haniel Hadison, in charge of Special Duties at the Service’s Headquarters, delivered a lecture on “Regimentation in the Nigeria Customs Service.”
Comptroller Hadison urged his colleagues to set a standard that junior officers would look up to, warning them against engaging in political activities.
The Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu also delivered a lecture on “Border Crisis and National Security: An Appraisal”.
Comptroller Olomu examined the complexities of border security, trade facilitation, and the role of Customs in strengthening Nigeria’s economic and security framework.
DCG Greg Itotoh, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Human Resources Development, had earlier lectured the newly promoted Comptrollers on “Team Building”. While closing the retreat on behalf of CGC Adeniyi, he congratulated the newly promoted officers and encouraged them to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.
Itotoh reiterated that the Service expects them to apply the knowledge gained from the retreat to improve Customs’ operations and enhance trade facilitation.
Other resource persons who presented lectures during the retreat include ACG Isah Umar, in-charge of the headquarters, who spoke on “Integrity and Transparency” and Prof. Hamid Sulaiman, who delivered a lecture on “Public Policy Management and Leadership Challenges”.
Comptroller Naf’iu Isyaku also presented a lecture on Customs’ Import and Export Process and Procedure, amongst other resource persons who delivered engaging topics aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the newly promoted Comptrollers in managing various Customs’ formations.
