The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has launched its landmark Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, Customs Cares, signaling a new era of social impact beyond its core mandate of revenue generation and trade facilitation.
The initiative, which aims to address Nigeria’s social, educational, and infrastructural challenges, was unveiled on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at Government Secondary School, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. The launch event drew high-profile government officials, including the Ministers of Finance, Education, and Youth Development, as well as representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi described Customs Cares as a transformative response to pressing national issues. He emphasized that the programme aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring that Customs’ interventions contribute meaningfully to national development.
“We have prioritized education because human capital development is fundamental to national prosperity. This initiative is not just about donations but a long-term commitment to sustainable development,” Adeniyi stated.
As part of the first phase, over 1,300 students at Government Secondary School, Wuse Zone 3, benefitted from direct interventions. The initiative will be expanded across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with Customs adopting one school in each Local Government Area to address specific infrastructural and educational needs.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, praised the Customs leadership for its innovative approach to CSR.
“The Customs Cares initiative is a game-changer. It exemplifies how government institutions can integrate social impact into their core mandate. I commend the Comptroller-General of Customs for this visionary leadership, and I assure you that the Ministry of Finance fully supports this initiative,”* Edun said.
Similarly, Minister of Education Olatunji Alausa noted that the initiative aligns with the federal government’s vision for an improved educational system.
“President Tinubu believes in human capital development, which centres on youth and our future. Education, healthcare, social investment, and food security are top priorities of this administration,” Alausa stated, urging Customs to collaborate with education agencies for maximum impact.
Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande also commended the initiative, describing it as a model for how government agencies can contribute to national progress beyond their statutory roles.
Comptroller Patience Ibrahim, who heads the Customs CSR Unit, outlined the Service’s broader strategy to improve healthcare, social infrastructure, and economic empowerment.
“We will deploy mobile clinics, conduct medical outreaches, and implement anti-malaria campaigns in underserved communities. Additionally, we will initiate water borehole projects, upgrade electricity infrastructure, and facilitate skills acquisition programmes to empower individuals,” she said.
She further revealed plans to support agricultural extension services, food donations, and improved market access for farmers to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.
The Principal of Government Secondary School, Wuse Zone 3, Josephine Ugwu, expressed deep gratitude for the initiative.
“This is a historic moment for our school. The Nigeria Customs Service has invested in our students, providing security infrastructure and learning materials that will significantly improve our academic environment,” she said.
The launch event attracted key stakeholders, including WHO representatives, Deputy Comptrollers-General of Customs, Assistant Comptrollers-General of Customs, community leaders, and other dignitaries.
With Customs Cares, the NCS is not just redefining corporate social responsibility but setting a precedent for how government agencies can drive sustainable development across Nigeria.