The Nigeria Customs Service has taken another step in strengthening its leadership pipeline with the graduation of 100 middle-cadre officers from the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College in Gwagwalada, Abuja.
The ceremony, held on Friday, marked the completion of Senior Course 13 and Junior Course 23, programmes designed to prepare officers for greater operational and strategic responsibilities within the Service.
Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Finance, Administration and Technical Services, Kikelomo Adeola, congratulated the graduates and urged them to translate their training into improved service delivery across their various commands and units.
She emphasised that capacity building remains central to the Customs modernisation drive, noting that officers trained at the College are expected to set higher standards of professionalism, efficiency and accountability.
Adeola also reminded the officers of their responsibility as leaders and role models, particularly to younger colleagues and newly recruited personnel.
She charged them to uphold discipline and integrity at all times, stressing that the credibility and effectiveness of the Service depend largely on the conduct and performance of its officers.
Earlier, the Commandant of the College, Assistant Comptroller-General Dow Gaura, described the completion of the courses as a testament to the discipline, resilience and intellectual rigour demonstrated by the officers during an intensive training period.
He said the College remains committed to producing well-rounded leaders capable of managing complex customs operations and contributing meaningfully to national development and security.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, the Course Senior for Senior Course 13, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Umar Garba, described the programme as a transformative experience.
He said it had sharpened their leadership skills, deepened their understanding of customs procedures and broadened their appreciation of inter-agency cooperation and national security imperatives.