In a strategic move to strengthen leadership capacity and uphold institutional integrity, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has concluded a week-long leadership retreat for its newly promoted Comptrollers.
The event, held at the Senator Ahmed Makarfi Auditorium within the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, ran from Tuesday 7 October to Friday 11 October 2025.
The retreat was opened by Deputy Comptroller-General (DCG) of Customs in charge of Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Sulaiman Chiroma, and officially closed by DCG Greg Itotoh, who oversees Human Resource Development.
According to Chiroma, the retreat forms part of the Comptroller-General of Customs’ ongoing reforms aimed at preparing senior officers for higher responsibilities in line with international best practices.
“This retreat provides an opportunity to realign with the CGC’s three-point agenda: collaboration, consolidation, and innovation,” he said. “The performance of these Comptrollers will directly influence the public perception of the Service.”
He urged the newly promoted officers to lead with discipline, accountability and innovation, and to ensure they translate the CGC’s vision into measurable outcomes—particularly in areas of trade facilitation and border security.
Closing the retreat, DCG Itotoh emphasised that promotion comes with heightened expectations. “You are now managers of men and resources,” he said. “Your decisions reflect not only on your individual commands but on the entire Service. The values of integrity, professionalism, and transparency must guide your leadership.”
He further urged the participants to apply the insights gained during the retreat to improve operational efficiency and mentorship within their respective commands, stressing the importance of impactful service delivery, stakeholder trust, and enhanced revenue generation.
As part of the retreat’s programme, Assistant Comptroller and National Public Relations Officer Abdullahi Maiwada delivered a lecture on “Stakeholder Management, Media Community, and Employee Relationship.”
In his session, Maiwada underscored the importance of effective communication in leadership. “Public relations is not just about information dissemination; it’s about building relationships, maintaining credibility, and fostering trust. Every Customs officer must become an ambassador of the Service’s integrity,” he said.
He also cautioned against workplace gossip, instead urging the officers to build constructive relationships with staff and stakeholders alike.
Following the closing ceremony, several participating Comptrollers including Usman Yahaya, Murtala Mu’azu, and Josephine Egwakide expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General, Adewale Adeniyi, and the NCS management team. They pledged to uphold the Service’s values and fully realise the CGC’s vision of institutional excellence and stakeholder confidence.
The retreat is seen as part of a broader push by the current Customs leadership to modernise operations, enhance professionalism, and position the Service as a key player in national economic development.
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