The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has concluded a week-long leadership retreat for its newly promoted Comptrollers, aimed at strengthening leadership capacity, fostering innovation, and deepening institutional integrity across its commands and formations.
The retreat, which held at the Senator Ahmed Makarfi Auditorium, Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, commenced on Tuesday, October 7, and ended on Friday, October 11, 2025.
Declaring the event open, the Deputy Comptroller-General (DCG) in charge of Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Sulaiman Chiroma, described the retreat as part of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi’s ongoing reform agenda to prepare senior officers for higher responsibilities in line with global Customs standards.
Chiroma charged the newly promoted Comptrollers to demonstrate effective leadership, discipline, and accountability, stressing that their actions would significantly influence public perception of the Service.
“This retreat provides an opportunity to realign with the CGC’s three-point agenda — collaboration, consolidation, and innovation — ensuring that every officer contributes meaningfully to the modernisation drive of the Service,” he stated.
He further urged the participants to exhibit professionalism and teamwork in translating the Comptroller-General’s vision into measurable outcomes that will enhance trade facilitation and border security.
In his closing remarks, the DCG in charge of Human Resource Development, Greg Itotoh, commended the participants for their dedication throughout the programme, describing their promotion as both a recognition of past performance and a call to greater responsibility.
“You are now managers of men and resources. Integrity, professionalism, and transparency must guide your every action,” he said. “Every decision you make reflects not just on you but on the Nigeria Customs Service as a whole.”
Itotoh also reminded the new Comptrollers that higher ranks come with greater expectations, urging them to apply lessons from the retreat to improve operational efficiency, mentor subordinates, and strengthen institutional performance.
As part of the training, the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, delivered a lecture on “Stakeholder Management, Media Community, and Employee Relationship.”
He underscored the importance of effective communication and stakeholder engagement in achieving the Service’s goals, advising officers to prioritise credibility, transparency, and relationship-building in their leadership approach.
“Public relations is not just about information dissemination; it’s about maintaining credibility and ensuring every Customs officer serves as an ambassador of the Service’s integrity,” Maiwada said.
He further noted that open communication and positive engagement with the business community remain vital to the success of the Comptroller-General’s reform agenda.
Speaking after the closing ceremony, some participants — Comptrollers Usman Yahaya, Murtala Mu’azu, and Josephine Egwakide — expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General and the management team for the opportunity. They pledged to uphold the core values of discipline, excellence, and accountability in discharging their duties.
“We are inspired to justify the confidence reposed in us and to contribute to building a more efficient and transparent Customs Service,” they affirmed.