The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has urged Deputy Comptrollers of Customs to prepare themselves for the demands of leadership as the Service continues its drive towards institutional renewal and operational excellence.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Strategic Refresher Course for Deputy Comptrollers in Lagos on Thursday, Adeniyi said leadership readiness requires discipline, integrity, continuous learning and an unwavering commitment to the ideals of the Service.
The intensive capacity building programme brought together 180 Deputy Comptrollers from commands across the country to equip them with the skills required for higher leadership responsibilities as many prepare to assume strategic positions within the Nigeria Customs Service.
The Customs boss warned the senior officers against allowing personal interests or lifestyles to undermine their official responsibilities, stressing that exemplary conduct remains the hallmark of effective leadership.
According to him, every officer aspiring to lead must cultivate self discipline, remain accountable for every action and inaction, and demonstrate the character expected of officers entrusted with public confidence.
Adeniyi said leadership goes beyond rank, insisting that capacity development remains the foundation for effective decision making and institutional growth. He noted that throughout his career, he deliberately invested in building his personal and professional competence.
He urged the officers to continue upgrading their knowledge, explaining that customs administration has evolved significantly over the years with the emergence of new trade facilitation initiatives and international best practices.
The Comptroller General cited innovations such as the Authorised Economic Operator programme and Time Release Studies as examples of modern customs concepts that require officers to continually update their expertise.
He reaffirmed that the Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to investing heavily in local and international training programmes designed to produce competent, globally competitive officers capable of driving reforms.
Adeniyi also advised the Deputy Comptrollers to remain mentally and physically prepared for leadership while resisting any temptation to involve external interests in the internal affairs of the Service. He assured them that the Customs management would continue to welcome constructive feedback as they transition into higher responsibilities.
Earlier, the Zonal Coordinator of Zone A, Assistant Comptroller General Mohammed Babandede, described the refresher course as an important opportunity for reflection, knowledge consolidation and professional growth.
He credited the programme to the visionary leadership of the Comptroller General, noting that the sustained investment in capacity development reflects the Service’s determination to prepare senior officers for leadership in an increasingly dynamic operating environment.
Babandede explained that participants received extensive training on information security, professional ethics in the digital age, responsible use of electronic devices, cyber security awareness, social media conduct and the ethical obligations expected of senior officers.
He encouraged the officers to become worthy ambassadors of the Nigeria Customs Service by demonstrating discipline, professionalism, transparency and fairness while effectively managing operational challenges and maintaining public confidence.
The Acting Provost Marshal of the Service, Deputy Comptroller Saulawa Sanusi, PhD, commended the Comptroller General for approving the strategic leadership programme, describing it as another demonstration of his commitment to building a competent, disciplined and future ready leadership team.
Sanusi said the refresher course has strengthened participants’ leadership capacity, strategic thinking, operational effectiveness and policy implementation skills, adding that the knowledge acquired would improve service delivery, reinforce accountability and support the ongoing transformation of the Nigeria Customs Service into a modern and globally respected customs administration.
The training featured presentations on senior officer etiquette, command presence, quarter guard practice, information security, professional ethics in the digital era and the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 as a framework for modern customs leadership. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Deputy Comptroller Patience Ita, Acting Controller of the Ondo Ekiti Area Command, while retired Deputy Comptroller General Dera Nnadi delivered a goodwill message. Resource persons included experts from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, serving and retired senior Customs officers as well as legal practitioners.