Embrace Integrity, Innovation, Customs Urge Promoted Officers

The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, has urged newly promoted Deputy and Assistant Comptrollers of Customs to embrace innovation, integrity, and continuous learning as they assume higher responsibilities within the Service.

Speaking at the opening session of a special training session organised for the newly elevated officers on Wednesday, Comptroller Oshoba congratulated the participants on their career advancement, describing their promotions as “a reward for hard work and a call to greater service.”

He emphasised that the new ranks come with increased expectations from the Service and the nation, urging the officers to exhibit excellence, discipline, and commitment to the modernisation vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

“These elevations come with benefits, challenges, and responsibilities. The management of the NCS demands more commitment, innovative thinking, and an unwavering dedication to excellence in carrying out the CGC’s reform agenda.”

Highlighting the Service’s transformation drive, the Apapa CAC noted that Customs operations have become more knowledge-driven, with modernisation initiatives such as the Advance Ruling System, Time Release Study, Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, and the One Stop Shop mechanism redefining trade facilitation in Nigeria.

He tasked the newly promoted officers with familiarising themselves with these tools and deploying them effectively to enhance efficiency, compliance, and risk management.

“There are cases of non-compliance, either from ignorance or deliberate circumvention of procedures. This calls for greater alertness and the smart use of technology for risk assessment,” Oshoba warned.

While urging participants to leverage the training for professional development, he encouraged them to interact, exchange ideas, and build networks that will strengthen teamwork and leadership capacity across commands.

“As new leaders, some of you will be entrusted with sensitive duties, including custodianship of release passwords and supervision of junior officers,” he added. “You must uphold the tenets of Justice and Honesty, which are the Service’s core values.”

Oshoba assured that capacity building remains a priority for the Service under the current leadership, with continuous training and retraining forming part of the long-term strategy for institutional excellence.

“To the glory of God and for the benefit of participants and facilitators, I hereby declare this course open,” he concluded.

The training session, hosted at the Apapa Area Command headquarters, aims to equip the newly promoted officers with advanced knowledge and leadership skills essential for driving Customs modernisation and effective trade facilitation.