President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday commissioned the newly completed ₦73 billion Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service in Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State, marking a significant step in the service’s expansion drive.
Arriving at about 3:08 p.m. after inaugurating the state’s cargo airport, the President praised the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for delivering what he described as a fitting and forward-looking facility for the unit. The sprawling complex includes modern office buildings and a training college designed to boost operational efficiency and strengthen capacity within the service.
“I hereby declare this building open, to the glory of God,” Tinubu declared.
Speaking to journalists after the ceremony, Adeniyi revealed that the Nigeria Customs Service is seeking presidential approval to revise the project’s original scope and cost. He explained that the expansion was driven by the need to balance core responsibilities such as revenue generation, trade facilitation and enforcement with improved welfare and working conditions for officers.
He noted that operations had long outgrown the unit’s former base in Ikeja, where facilities had become overstretched despite once being considered expansive. According to him, decades of growth in the size, scope and demands of the service made relocation inevitable.
Adeniyi credited Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, for providing the land and enabling the move to a more suitable site spanning over 50 hectares. He also paid tribute to his predecessor for initiating the project and securing the land.
The Comptroller-General said the facility, which is already furnished, will soon be fully operational, with additional features including a modern armoury and a warehouse complex positioned opposite the main building to support logistics. A training college within the premises is also expected to play a key role in personnel development.
While the project was initially estimated at around ₦73 billion, Adeniyi acknowledged that changing circumstances have necessitated a review. He disclosed that only about 45 per cent of the overall development has been completed, leaving significant work still to be done.
He expressed optimism that the President would approve the required adjustments, enabling the Customs Service to complete the project within Tinubu’s tenure.