Customs Strengthens Personnel Capacity As 50 Officers Complete Junior Course

Fifty officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have completed the three-month Junior Course 25 at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada.

The ​‌‍‍‍⁠‌‍⁠⁠‌‍​‍‍​​⁠‍‌​Customs Spokesperson, Mr Abdullahi Maiwada, made this known in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday in Lagos.

Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour, the Comptroller-General, Adewale Adeniyi, urged the graduates to uphold integrity, sound judgment and national interest above personal gain.

Adeniyi said modern Customs leadership required competence and accountability beyond revenue collection, urging officers to adapt to evolving trade, security and compliance challenges.

“Leadership is not defined solely by the rank that you wear, but is demonstrated through competence, fairness, courage and the responsibility you take,” Adeniyi said.

He charged the officers to apply their training to complex operational demands, improve service delivery and strengthen border security while facilitating legitimate trade.

The Commandant of the College, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs (ACG), Dow Gaura, commended the officers’ dedication and highlighted ongoing upgrades at the institution.

Gaura said the upgrades included digital learning tools and strategic training partnerships with the Nigerian Army to equip personnel with modern skills.

He said the investments would enhance decision-making and align Customs operations with international best practices for efficiency and transparency.

Maiwada said the ceremony featured certificate presentations to all 50 graduates, while the CGC presented special awards to three top-performing officers.

He said the awards recognised excellence in academics, leadership and discipline among the graduates.

Maiwada said activities began on Wednesday, Aug. 26, with a regimental dinner where Deputy Comptroller General of Customs, Suleiman Chiroma, represented the CGC.

He said Chiroma urged the cohort to demonstrate vigilance and decisive leadership in their new postings.