By Peace Udugba
CGC Adewale Adeniyi charges graduates to put national interest above personal gain as Customs strengthens professional capacity and operational leadership.
Fifty officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have graduated from the three-month Junior Course 25 of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada, Abuja.
The graduation ceremony, held on Friday, August 28, 2026, marked another milestone in the professional development and leadership training of officers of the Nigeria Customs Service.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who served as the Special Guest of Honour, charged the graduating officers to uphold integrity, sound judgment, competence and accountability in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Adeniyi stressed that effective leadership in modern Customs administration goes beyond revenue generation, noting that officers must be guided by the national interest and a strong sense of responsibility.
“Leadership is not defined solely by the rank that you wear, but is demonstrated through competence, fairness, courage and the responsibility you take,” the CGC told the graduates.
He urged the officers to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the course to effectively manage the increasingly complex operational environment confronting Customs administrations.
The Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Dow Gaura, commended the graduates for their dedication and commitment throughout the training.
Gaura also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen the institution, including the deployment of digital learning tools and strategic training partnerships with the Nigerian Army.
The ceremony featured the presentation of certificates to all 50 graduating officers, while the three best-performing officers received special awards from the Comptroller-General.
The graduation activities commenced earlier in the week with a regimental dinner held on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
At the dinner, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Suleiman Chiroma, who represented the CGC, charged members of the cohort to demonstrate vigilance, professionalism and decisive leadership when they resume their respective assignments across various Customs commands.
The training is expected to further strengthen the operational and leadership capacity of the Nigeria Customs Service as it continues to adapt to the demands of modern Customs administration.
