By Femi Anamelechi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Friday, 12 December 2025, graduated officers of Senior Course 13 and Junior Course 23 of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen leadership capacity, operational efficiency and strategic management across the Service. The ceremony attracted senior officers, instructors and invited guests, highlighting the Service’s commitment to continuous professional development and institutional excellence.Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, the Deputy Comptroller-General (DCG) in charge of Finance, Administration and Technical Services, Kikelomo Adeola, congratulated the graduates and urged them to deploy the skills and values acquired during the programme to enhance service delivery in their respective Commands and units.“Capacity building remains a central pillar of the Nigeria Customs Service modernisation agenda, and officers who pass through this College are expected to translate their training into improved service delivery across all Commands,” DCG Adeola said.She further charged the graduates to uphold professionalism and integrity, noting that they would serve as examples to younger officers and newly recruited personnel.
“As you return to your various units, you must uphold professionalism, discipline and integrity, knowing that younger officers will look up to you as role models worthy of emulation,” she added.Earlier, the Commandant of the College, Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Dow Gaura, described the successful completion of the courses as a reflection of the discipline, resilience and intellectual rigour demonstrated by the officers throughout the training period.“The successful completion of Senior Course 13 and Junior Course 23 reflects the discipline, resilience and intellectual rigour displayed by the officers throughout a demanding programme designed to prepare them for higher responsibilities in the Service,” ACG Gaura said.He noted that the College plays a critical role in professionalising the NCS workforce through a structured curriculum that aligns with international best practices. “The College remains committed to professionalising the Nigeria Customs Service through a curriculum that integrates customs law, leadership, operations management and strategic studies in line with global best practices,” he stated.Speaking on behalf of the graduates, the Course Senior for course 13, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Umar Garba described the programme as transformative, noting its positive impact on their professional outlook. “The programme has been transformative, strengthening our leadership skills, deepening our understanding of customs procedures and broadening our perspective on inter-agency collaboration and national security,” Garba said.The ceremony featured a Guard of honour for the Special Guest of Honour, presentation of certificates and awards to outstanding officers. Earlier, a Regimental Dinner Night was held on Wednesday, 10 December 2025 at College premises to sustain the long-standing service tradition of celebrating students having undergone rigorous training for three (3) and six (6) months for Junior and Senior Courses respectively.
