CGC Charges Deputy Comptrollers to Lead Innovation as Strategic Refresher Course Ends

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has charged Deputy Comptrollers of Customs to lead innovation and demonstrate readiness to take over the leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as global customs administrations embrace technology and reforms.

Adeniyi gave the charge on Thursday, 16 July 2026, at the closing ceremony of the Strategic Refresher Course for Deputy Comptrollers held at the Nigeria Customs Training College, Ikeja. 

Addressing the participants, the CGC stressed that Customs administration Worldwide are reinventing their operations through technology and innovation, making continuous learning indispensable.

“You must put yourself ahead of all these developments. This is why we are investing a lot in building your capacity locally and internationally. You must demonstrate capacity, you must demonstrate readiness that you're ready to take on the leadership of the service,” he stated.

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Speaking on the impact of the training, Adeniyi explained that productivity and leadership effectiveness are evaluated through established performance management systems over time rather than as one-off events.

In his remarks the Zonal Coordinator for Zone 'A', Assistant Comptroller-General Mohammed Babandede, urged the senior officers to set standards for the next generation. “As senior officers and true ambassadors of the NCS, you are now better positioned to set standards of discipline and professionalism, led by personal example, manage public perceptions through transparency and fairness, and make sound decisions during operational challenges and crises,” Babandede said.

Also speaking, the Ag. Provost Marshal, Deputy Comptroller Saulawa Sanusi, said the Customs Police Unit is intensifying efforts to entrench discipline and compliance across the Service through continuous engagement of senior officers.  

“The service has a standard operating procedure in virtually whatever we do. So for us to achieve that optimally, we need to keep reminding the officers, keep teaching them over and over again. Of course, you cannot achieve it overnight. You keep repeating the procedure until when the compliance level can now be said to be on the high level,” he said.