By Peace Udugba -The Daily Torch Media
The University of Ibadan (UI) has honoured the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, following his delivery of a distinguished personality lecture on the role of Customs in national development, security and economic growth.
The lecture, titled “Why Customs Matters: Revenue, Security and Nationhood in a Borderless World,” was delivered on Tuesday at Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, Oyo State.
The event was organised by the TETFUND Centre of Excellence in Security Management (TECESM), University of Ibadan, and attracted professors, academics and other distinguished personalities from various faculties and departments of the institution.
The Director of TECESM, Professor P. A. Aluko, delivered the welcome address, while Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka, the university’s 12th Vice-Chancellor, chaired the occasion.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Oyebode Adebowale, served as the chief host and commended Adeniyi for his distinguished achievements and contributions to the Nigeria Customs Service.
During his lecture, Adeniyi emphasised the critical role of Customs in revenue generation, national security, anti-smuggling operations and trade facilitation, noting that globalisation had increased the need for efficient and intelligence-driven border management.
He illustrated the importance of Customs operations through examples involving the interception of 399 pump-action rifles and firearm components at Tin Can Island Port, Lagos; cross-border trading activities between Nigeria and the Benin Republic; and the benefits of government revenue to university students.
The Customs chief also highlighted the Service’s revenue performance, digitalisation initiatives and collaboration with security agencies as important elements in strengthening Nigeria’s economy and protecting its borders.
He called for closer collaboration between the Customs Service, universities and researchers to develop evidence-based policies capable of addressing smuggling, improving trade facilitation and strengthening border communities.
Adeniyi stressed that effective Customs administration must balance revenue collection and security enforcement with fairness, transparency and efficient service delivery.
Following the lecture, the University of Ibadan recognised and honoured the Customs chief in appreciation of his engagement with the academic community.
The recognition underscored the importance of collaboration between public institutions and universities in addressing Nigeria’s economic, security and governance challenges.
