The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has called for renewed commitment to national unity, service, and spiritual reflection as the Service hosted Ramadan Iftar gatherings with officers, government officials, and key stakeholders in Abuja.
The events, held as part of activities marking the holy month of Ramadan, brought together senior officials, diplomats, captains of industry, security chiefs, and members of the Customs management team, both serving and retired.
The first gathering took place on March 4, 2026, at Dunes Hotel, where the CGC hosted high-level guests including representatives of sister security agencies and senior media executives.
Welcoming participants, Adeniyi described Ramadan as a season of reflection, discipline, and spiritual renewal, urging Nigerians to apply the lessons of the holy month to their personal and professional lives.
“Ramadan is a period that requires absolute dedication to faith. It is a time when we turn to God in prayer and seek guidance in all that we do,” he said.
“I encourage all of us to carry the lessons of this season into our daily lives — in our interactions with one another, with our families, in our businesses and most importantly, in our service to the nation.”
The Customs boss stressed that Nigeria’s progress depends largely on unity and shared responsibility among citizens and institutions.
“This period calls for total dedication to the service of the country. We must remain united in our commitment to national unity, in our pursuit of economic prosperity and in our determination to strengthen peace and progress in Nigeria,” he added.
Also speaking, the Director of Home Finance at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Ali Muhammad, commended the leadership of the NCS for implementing reforms aimed at strengthening trade administration and boosting revenue generation.
He particularly highlighted the growing use of technology by the Service, citing the indigenous digital trade platform B’Odogwu as a major innovation expected to improve efficiency and transparency in cargo clearance.
According to him, the reforms aligned with the Federal Government’s economic recovery agenda and will help enhance trade facilitation, reduce bottlenecks, and improve Nigeria’s economic competitiveness.
In her goodwill message, the Managing Director of Trade Modernisation Project Limited, Jummai Umar-Ajijola, also commended the Customs leadership for promoting innovation and institutional reform.
She noted that the Service recently showcased the B’Odogwu platform at an international technology conference in Abu Dhabi, where the indigenous system attracted significant interest from global participants.
According to her, the platform reflects the Service’s commitment to adopting technology-driven approaches to modern customs administration.
As part of the Ramadan activities, the NCS management also hosted another Iftar dinner at the Service Headquarters in Maitama on March 5, 2026, organised by Trade Modernisation Project Limited.
The event brought together officers and personnel of the Service in an atmosphere of unity and reflection as Muslim officers observed the breaking of the day’s fast.
Addressing officers at the gathering, Adeniyi described the fasting period as a time for reflection, self-improvement, and prayers.
“I pray that the Almighty will answer all our prayers. We pray that during the remaining days of Ramadan and Lent, all our supplications will be accepted,” he said.
He further urged officers to demonstrate compassion and unity in their daily interactions.
“We should also be reminded that during this period, we are expected to demonstrate love and affection for each other. I want to wish you a remarkable and memorable fasting period, and may we witness many more Ramadans and Lenten seasons,” he concluded.
