By Chukwuma Umeorah
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), has graduated the first batch of senior officers from its newly introduced executive course on complex Customs operations, aimed at strengthening national trade and security operations through strategic capacity building.
The one month-long training, which took place at the NIIA in Lagos, was designed to expose customs officers to global trade dynamics, tariff administration, border security, and international best practices. It is the first in a series of senior-level executive courses under the NCS’ broader modernisation and reform agenda.
Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, during the graduation ceremony in Lagos on Friday said the programme represents a critical investment in the future leadership of the service.
“This is an investment that was worth every penny in it. What does building a modern customs administration entail? It entails activities like this. We let them understand the changes, the dynamics in international training, international system and how it affects their job on a day-to-day basis. So, we will continue to do this. We will continue to also explore these opportunities in similar training institutions in the country, not just in NIIA,” Adeniyi said.
He noted that the training aligned with the World Customs Organization’s 2025–2028 modernisation plan, which prioritises professional development, gender inclusion and operational innovation.
According to Adeniyi, future editions of the course might include international study tours to enhance global exposure. “Going forward, the course will be more robust and more rounded if we can include an international study tour,” he said.
He reaffirmed the Customs’ commitment to continued collaboration with the NIIA and pledged that future editions would build on the lessons learned from this first course.
“We will explore more areas of meaningful partnerships, as enjoined by the World Customs Organisation,” he said.
The training was held under the auspices of the Bashir Adeniyi Centre for International Trade and Investment, a capacity-building initiative set up to advance knowledge and professionalism within the Customs Service.
The Director General of NIIA, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, said the programme was crucial in preparing the service for new regional and global demands, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), digitalisation of Customs processes, and complex tariff environments.
“This is part of the process of strengthening the capacity of the Customs Service for better delivery, especially in the light of more complex and increasingly more challenging circumstances under which they have to operate,” Osaghae stated.
He added that the training initiative reflects Nigeria’s growing influence in global customs administration, citing his recent election as Council Chairperson of the World Customs Organization.
Participants said the course broadened their perspective on Customs operations and enhanced their readiness to address modern challenges.
Assistant Comptroller of Customs, T.S. Sanusi described it as a “very good one at this material time,” citing its emphasis on modernisation, trade facilitation and national security.
Assistant Comptroller Juliet Njoku added: “We’ve seen that it’s not just all about trade facilitation or generating revenue, we need to balance our roles with diplomacies. We need to know how to take decisions and be ready at every time to deliver good service to our nation.”
Leave a comment