The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has moved to clarify swirling social media narratives over its aviation Unit, with the National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Dr. Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, providing a detailed account of the structure, purpose and personnel of the Service’s Airwing.
Maiwada explained that the NCS operates a fully recognised Airwing, which has recently been formalised under a corporate framework as Airwing and Hanger Limited, in line with broader institutional reforms and operational efficiency goals.
According to him, the Airwing is not an ad hoc creation but a strategic support arm designed to enhance Customs’ surveillance, logistics and enforcement capabilities across Nigeria’s complex trade corridors and border environments.
He noted that the Unit is staffed by a wide pool of professionals recruited to manage the entire aircraft handling value chain, including pilots, cabin crew, aircraft maintenance engineers and other specialised aviation personnel.
Maiwada further disclosed that the Service, through the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, also oversees other structured entities such as NCS Hospitals Limited, NCBN Limited and NCS Hotels Limited, all created to strengthen institutional support services and welfare architecture.
Drawing parallels with existing human resources/workforce within the Service, the Customs spokesman emphasised that just as the NCS recruits medical doctors, accountants, lawyers and drivers as support staff, aviation professionals are similarly engaged to meet operational demands.
Addressing a key point of public interest, Maiwada highlighted the case of a pioneering female officer whose career progression has drawn attention, clarifying that her role is consistent with established personnel development policies of the Service.
He explained that the officer initially served as a cabin crew member before transitioning into aviation piloting, becoming the first female pilot within the Nigeria Customs Service Airwing.
To deepen her expertise, Maiwada revealed that the Service sponsored her advanced aviation training in the United States, where she qualified as a double engine pilot, underscoring the NCS commitment to capacity building and gender inclusion.
He reiterated that the narrative being circulated online does not reflect the full institutional context, stressing that the Customs Airwing remains a legitimate, professionally staffed and strategically important component of the Service, with all developments carried out within established government frameworks.