CG Adeniyi Rallies Customs Officers for Reform, Innovation During Oyo/Osun Command Visit

IBADAN —  Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has urged officers of the Service to embrace continuous learning and innovation to tackle the complex challenges facing Customs operations in Nigeria.

The CG made these remarks on Tuesday during a working visit to the Oyo/Osun Area Command headquarters in Ibadan, Oyo State, where he was received by the Area Controller, Comptroller Joseph Olugbuyi Adelaja, and other senior officers. The visit forms part of a broader engagement tour aimed at aligning operational priorities with the NCS’s transformation agenda.

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“Learn, Unlearn, Relearn”: CG Charts New Course for Customs Officers

In an interactive session with officers of the command, CG Adeniyi emphasized the need for personal and professional development through a continuous cycle of “learning, unlearning, and relearning.”

He described the Oyo/Osun Area Command as a “strategic and unique command” within the NCS, noting that it hosts a wide range of customs activities including revenue collection, enforcement, excise duties, and trans-shipment logistics.

“The future of the Nigeria Customs Service lies with the younger generation of officers—those in the mid-tier of their careers, such as Superintendents, Chief Superintendents, and Assistant Controllers,” he said.

He stressed that under his leadership, promotions will be based on knowledge, not connections, reinforcing the merit-based approach adopted by the NCS. “Whether through regular promotion exercises or special merit-based initiatives, what you know and how you contribute to the Service will be the yardstick,” he noted.

Technology and Welfare at the Core of New Customs Vision

CG Adeniyi also unveiled several high-tech initiatives aimed at strengthening the operational effectiveness of the Customs Service. He disclosed that a vehicle verification system, currently in the pilot phase, would soon be deployed to allow officers to verify vehicle clearance records using smart devices.

“This innovation will eliminate guesswork and enhance the efficiency of our enforcement officers in the field,” he stated.

In addition, the CG announced plans to roll out a Geo-Spatial Intelligence System, driven by satellite data and digital mapping. This system, he said, would optimize patrol deployment, replacing random movements with targeted operations based on real-time intelligence.

“With this system, we’ll be able to see what’s happening in specific areas and deploy our resources accordingly,” he explained. “The tone of the music will change in Customs administration, and when that happens, your dance steps must change too.”

He emphasized that officers must reposition their mindset to match the Service’s modernized approach, urging vigilance and accountability in safeguarding both national security and economic stability.

On welfare, CG Adeniyi reassured officers that staffing gaps, particularly the shortage of junior officers, would be addressed. He also announced that six to eight vehicles would be allocated to the Oyo/Osun Area Command to boost mobility and operational coverage.

Area Controller Highlights Achievements, Challenges

In his welcome remarks, Comptroller Joseph Olugbuyi Adelaja lauded the CG’s visit as a morale booster for officers. He reported that since his assumption of office on February 6, 2025, the command has generated over ₦28 billion in revenue, surpassing the ₦23.8 billion collected during the same period the previous year.

Adelaja also revealed that the command seized contraband items worth nearly ₦918 million between February and May 2025. However, he outlined persistent challenges, including manpower shortages, inadequate electricity supply at Customs barracks, and a lack of operational vehicles for field operations.

Trade Facilitation: New Terminals, Warehouses to Ease Cargo Movement

As part of his visit, CG Adeniyi inspected the Ibadan Train Station Terminal in Moniya and a proposed private bonded warehouse. He emphasized that the development of inland container terminals and bonded facilities will improve trade facilitation, particularly for goods transported by rail.

However, he issued a caveat: all containers processed through such terminals must adhere strictly to Customs regulations and procedures. “If we’re going to have an Inland Container Terminal here, then it must be subject to all Customs rules. Cargo must be fully inspected and accounted for to avoid any security threats,” he warned.

 A Call for Transformation and Accountability

Comptroller General Bashir Adeniyi’s visit to the Oyo/Osun Command served not just as a supervisory engagement, but as a blueprint for a new era in Nigeria’s Customs administration. His message was clear: the Service must evolve through knowledge, integrity, and innovation.

With reforms underway—from ICT integration to capacity building—the Nigeria Customs Service under Adeniyi is seeking to transform itself into a world-class organization that not only facilitates trade but also plays a pivotal role in national security and economic resilience.