The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced a Strategic Refresher Course for 100 Deputy Comptrollers as part of efforts to prepare a new generation of senior officers for higher leadership responsibilities and strengthen ongoing reforms across the Service.
The workshop, organised by the Human Resources Development Department in collaboration with the Customs Police Unit, began on Tuesday at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada.
Declaring the workshop open on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the Commandant of the College, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Dow Gaura, described the participants as officers carefully selected for higher responsibilities within the Service.
He said the training was designed to equip them to lead by example, stressing that the officers were expected to serve as role models for the next generation of Customs personnel.
According to him, the programme goes beyond professional competence by placing emphasis on discipline, succession planning, ethical conduct and effective leadership.
“These officers are expected to serve as role models for the next generation of Customs personnel. This training goes beyond professional competence; it focuses on discipline, succession, conduct and leadership,” Gaura said.
Delivering the keynote lecture, retired Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs Dera Nnadi reminded the officers that promotion to higher ranks comes with greater responsibilities rather than personal privilege.
“The rank of Deputy Comptroller does not merely confer authority; it confers service. You owe responsibility to the Service, your colleagues, your subordinates, the nation’s leadership and our stakeholders,” he said.
Also speaking, the Deputy Commandant and Director of Studies of the College, Comptroller Haniel Hadison, urged the participants to uphold the traditions of regimentation, discipline and professionalism, noting that senior officers must set the standard through their conduct, appearance and relationship with their subordinates.
Earlier, the Acting Customs Provost Marshal, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Sanusi Saulawa, said the refresher course was specifically designed to prepare Deputy Comptrollers for the greater responsibilities associated with senior leadership positions in the Service.
He explained that the workshop reflects the Comptroller-General’s commitment to continuous capacity building, adding that officers must continually update their knowledge, strengthen their leadership skills and uphold the discipline, professionalism and integrity expected of future managers of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Some participants commended the Comptroller-General for approving the training, describing it as timely and impactful. They pledged to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the course to strengthen discipline, improve service delivery and uphold the image of the Nigeria Customs Service as they take on higher leadership responsibilities across the country.
