By Nkechi Eze
In a vibrant and emotional ceremony that brought smiles to the faces of young pupils and hope to a marginalized community, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday, July 17, 2025, commissioned the newly renovated Christ Assembly Nursery and Primary School in Ajegunle, Lagos. The project, executed under the Service’s flagship “Customs Cares” Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, signals a deepening commitment to social impact by one of Nigeria’s most prominent public institutions.
Located in the densely populated Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area, Christ Assembly School had long suffered infrastructural neglect, with pupils learning under dilapidated conditions. The transformation of the school into a modern, dignified learning environment was celebrated by both the community and top government officials as a landmark gesture of compassion and national responsibility.
Leading the commissioning ceremony was the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who was joined by key senior officers and dignitaries, including His Royal Highness, Oba Muhammed Maruf, the Olumakinwa of Apapa Kingdom; Chairman of Ajeromi-Ifelodun LGA, Mayor Fatai Ayoola; and the Lagos State Commissioner for Basic Education, Jamiu Ali-Balogun, among others.
Describing the intervention as a “symbol of renewed hope,” the CGC stated that the school project was not only an infrastructural upgrade but an investment in the country’s future.
“We are happy that our intervention has provided a better learning environment for all our students,” he said. “More importantly, we are happy that our intervention has ignited a renewed hope that under President Bola Tinubu, our children can learn in a good environment and aspire to be the best they can in their careers.”
The CGC explained that the renovation forms part of the Customs Cares initiative aimed at directly supporting 50,000 pupils in 2025. “So far, we have reached 10,000 school children, 3,000 of them from Lagos. Today alone, we’re reaching 2,000 more pupils with school items like uniforms, shoes, raincoats, and school bags,” he disclosed.
Expanding the scope of the initiative, CGC Adeniyi outlined five other thematic pillars beyond education, including healthcare, access to clean water, creative industry support, and ICT capacity-building, all of which align with national development goals.
“What we are doing is to recognise that all our communities where we serve have remained a strong pillar of support for us,” he added. “And in reciprocating this support, we will discharge our obligations with compassion and integrity.”
In his welcome remarks, the Zonal Coordinator of Zone A, Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Charles Orbih, highlighted the importance of setting the pace for others within the Service. “Our position as the foremost zone places upon us the responsibility to pioneer impactful community engagement that others can emulate,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Customs Cares implementation team, Comptroller Patience Ibrahim reaffirmed the Service’s resolve to strengthen ties with local communities. “This gathering reaffirms our enduring commitment to community development and to creating an enabling environment for every Nigerian child to learn and grow,” she noted.
The Customs Area Controller of Tincan Island Port Command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, whose command spearheaded the school renovation, expressed deep appreciation to all partners and stakeholders who contributed to the noble cause.
The emotional tone of the event was set by the school’s Headmistress, Esther Ogunfuyi, who described the transformation as “a reflection of your belief in the potential of our pupils, your commitment to quality education, and your desire to make a lasting difference.”
The event also featured goodwill messages from community leaders and government representatives, all commending the NCS for demonstrating what a responsive and people-centered public institution should look like.
The high point of the ceremony was a colourful cultural performance by the pupils of Christ Assembly School, followed by the formal presentation of educational materials and the official commissioning of the newly refurbished school building.
With the Customs Cares initiative continuing to expand its reach and impact, the Nigeria Customs Service is redefining its role not just as a revenue-generating agency, but as a vital actor in Nigeria’s socio-economic transformation, one renovated classroom at a time.
