By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has once again showcased its commitment to excellence, professionalism, and internal collaboration, as the 2025 Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Conference concluded with a glittering award night and gala dinner on Friday, 21 November 2025. The ceremony, held after two days of strategic engagements, provided a platform to honour outstanding performances by Commands, Units, and individual officers, highlighting the Service’s achievements throughout the year.
The event drew together Management members, Comptrollers, Senior Officers, and invited guests, celebrating contributions that strengthened operational efficiency, institutional reforms, and modernisation initiatives within the Service.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, commended officers for their dedication, noting that the NCS had surpassed its 2025 revenue target even before the start of the conference. He described this achievement as a reflection of the collective resolve demonstrated across enforcement operations, trade facilitation initiatives, and modernisation programmes.
“Tonight is about celebrating ourselves,” the CGC declared. “We have worked hard, delivered results, and strengthened the pillars that define our mandate. It is only right that we pause to acknowledge excellence within the Service.”
A major highlight of the evening was the recognition of the Public Relations Unit for its exceptional contributions to strategic communication, media visibility, and stakeholder engagement. The Unit was applauded for its role in effectively projecting Customs reforms and achievements, particularly during the C-PACT Summit and the 2025 CGC Conference, as well as for its efforts in countering misinformation and building public trust.
The Kano/Jigawa Area Command, led by Comptroller Abubakar Dalhatu, also emerged as a top honouree, winning the award for Most Improved Command. This recognition came on the back of its impressive performance in revenue generation, high-profile currency seizures, and strengthened enforcement outcomes. Adding to the Command’s accolades, its Public Relations Officer, CSC Tahir Balarabe, was named Best Public Relations Officer of the Year, in recognition of his outstanding work in visibility management, crisis communication, and proactive stakeholder engagement.
Several other Commands, Units, and officers were celebrated for distinguished service in leadership, innovation, discipline, community relations, anti-smuggling operations, and trade facilitation, underscoring the diverse and critical roles played in advancing the Service’s modernisation drive.
The evening concluded with renewed commitments from officers to deepen professionalism, foster unity, and sustain the momentum of reforms as the Nigeria Customs Service prepares for another year of strategic achievements.
