By Femi Amamelechi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Lilypond Export Command, has witnessed a leadership transition as Comptroller Samuel Ariyibi bowed out of office following his retirement from the Service, with Deputy Comptroller Olusola Salako assuming leadership as Acting Customs Area Controller.This was disclosed in a press release issued on Monday, 24 August 2026, by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Customs I, Bukola Olusola-Oke, the transition was formalised during a handing-over and taking-over ceremony at the Command on Monday, in line with established administrative procedures of the Service.In his remarks, Comptroller Ariyibi expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the management of the Service, officers and men of the Command, as well as critical stakeholders, for their support and cooperation throughout his tenure.
He attributed the achievements recorded by the Command to teamwork, professionalism, discipline, dedication and effective collaboration among officers and stakeholders. Ariyibi urged officers and men of the Command to extend the same spirit of cooperation and commitment to the incoming Acting CAC, while sustaining the operational standards and gains recorded during his tenure.Responding, Deputy Comptroller Salako commended Ariyibi for his dedicated and meritorious service to the Nigeria Customs Service and his contributions to the growth and development of the Command.He pledged to provide purposeful, responsive and professional leadership, with emphasis on trade facilitation, regulatory compliance, anti-smuggling operations and effective stakeholder engagement.The Acting CAC also appealed to stakeholders to sustain their support and cooperation towards strengthening the Command’s operational effectiveness and contribution to national economic development.
