By peace Udugba
The Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, has charged newly promoted Deputy and Assistant Comptrollers to embrace innovation, integrity, and a culture of continuous learning as they step into more demanding roles within the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
Addressing the officers during a special training session held on Wednesday at the Apapa Command, Comptroller Oshoba congratulated them on their recent elevation, describing it as both a recognition of past efforts and a call to higher responsibility.
He stressed that with the new ranks come greater expectations—not just from the NCS management, but also from the Nigerian public, particularly in the light of the ongoing reform and modernization agenda championed by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR.
“These elevations come with benefits, challenges, and responsibilities. The management of the NCS expects more commitment, innovative thinking, and an unwavering dedication to excellence in driving the CGC’s reform agenda,” Oshoba stated.
He noted that modern customs operations are increasingly knowledge-based, citing key transformation initiatives such as the Advance Ruling System, Time Release Study, Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme, and the One Stop Shop mechanism—all designed to enhance trade facilitation and improve efficiency.
Comptroller Oshoba urged the officers to be exemplary leaders and mentors, stressing that integrity, discipline, and a service-oriented mindset are critical to maintaining public trust and institutional credibility.
He urged the newly promoted officers to become proficient in modern Customs tools and technologies, emphasizing their role in improving efficiency, ensuring compliance, and strengthening risk management.
“There are cases of non-compliance, either from ignorance or deliberate circumvention of procedures. This calls for greater alertness and the smart use of technology for risk assessment,” Comptroller Oshoba cautioned.
He encouraged the officers to take full advantage of the training, not just for individual growth but to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and stronger leadership across the Service.
“As new leaders, some of you will be entrusted with sensitive duties, including custodianship of release passwords and the supervision of junior officers,” he noted. “You must uphold the tenets of justice and honesty—core values that define who we are as an institution.”
Comptroller Oshoba further assured that under the current leadership of the CGC, capacity building remains a top priority. He affirmed that continuous training and retraining would remain integral to the Service’s long-term strategy to achieve professionalism and institutional excellence.
“To the glory of God and for the benefit of participants and facilitators, I hereby declare this course open,” Comptroller Oshoba declared.
The training session, held at the Apapa Area Command headquarters, is designed to equip the newly promoted Deputy and Assistant Comptrollers with advanced knowledge, leadership competencies, and strategic insights essential for driving the Nigeria Customs Service’s modernization agenda and enhancing trade facilitation efforts across the country.
