The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced a five-day Leadership Retreat for its newly promoted Comptrollers, aimed at equipping them with the necessary skills to enhance service delivery and leadership effectiveness.
The retreat, organized in collaboration between the Department of Human Resources Development and the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), commenced on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at the Ahmad Makarfi Hall, Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, Abuja.
Declaring the retreat open, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, delivered a keynote lecture titled “The Strategic Environment and Effective Service Delivery in the Nigeria Customs Service.”
He charged the newly promoted Comptrollers to embrace their new roles with a sense of responsibility, emphasizing their position as key decision-makers in driving policy implementation across various commands.
“You are now at the management level, a stage where your decisions significantly impact the Service. This is the last promotable rank for many of you, so you must take your leadership role seriously. You also have a duty to safeguard the integrity and interests of the Nigeria Customs Service.”
CGC Adeniyi further stressed the importance of personnel welfare, continuous training, and maintaining ethical standards, urged the officers to be proactive in leadership and uphold Customs’ mandate of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and border security.
In his remarks, DCG Sulaiman Chiroma, Commander of TRADOC, commended the CGC for facilitating the retreat, describing it as a strategic investment in the Service’s future.
“This training is tailored to sharpen your leadership skills and prepare you for the complexities of modern Customs operations. As Comptrollers, you play a vital role in national economic growth and security.”
The retreat featured a series of lectures from top Customs officials and external experts, covering key aspects of leadership, stakeholder engagement, and operational effectiveness.
Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, National Public Relations Officer, spoke on Stakeholder Management, Media Relations, and Employee Engagement, emphasized effective communication in strengthening public trust.
DCG Greg Itotoh, in charge of Human Resources Development, led a session on Team Building and Leadership Excellence.
ACG Isah Umar, Headquarters, delivered a lecture on Integrity and Transparency in Customs Administration.
Prof. Hamid Sulaiman discussed Public Policy Management and Leadership Challenges.
Comptroller Naf’iu Isyaku provided insights into Customs Import and Export Processes and Procedures.
On the final day, discussions focused on leadership ethics, stakeholder engagement, and national security.
Comptroller Haniel Hadison, Special Duties Headquarters, presented “Regimentation in the Nigeria Customs Service,” urging Comptrollers to uphold discipline and avoid political influences.
Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, delivered a lecture on “Border Crisis and National Security: An Appraisal,” analyzing the challenges of border security and trade facilitation.
Closing the retreat on behalf of the CGC, DCG Greg Itotoh congratulated the newly promoted officers, urging them to apply their knowledge in improving Customs operations.
“The Service expects you to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and efficiency. This retreat has prepared you for the challenges ahead, and we trust that you will lead with excellence.”
The training underscored the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to building a competent and ethical leadership structure to enhance national economic security and trade facilitation.
