By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its drive to build a new generation of strategically minded leaders with the inauguration of 100 officers for Command and Leadership training at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada, Abuja.
The combined cohort, made up of 50 participants for Senior Course 14 and 50 for Junior Course 24, was inaugurated on Thursday, 5 February 2026, in a ceremony held at the Ahmad Makarfi Hall of the College. The Senior Course will run for six months, while the Junior Course is scheduled for three months.
The programme forms part of the Service’s broader institutional strategy to strengthen leadership capacity, enhance operational effectiveness and prepare officers for higher responsibilities in an increasingly complex security and economic environment.
Addressing the participants and members of the Directing Staff, the Commander of the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs Sulaiman Chiroma, who spoke on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, described the inauguration as a significant milestone in the Nigeria Customs Service’s deliberate transition from a predominantly operational orientation to a more strategically driven organisation.
He said the leadership of the Service has continued to invest heavily in strengthening the Command and Staff College and its programmes, noting that the long-term impact of such investments would be reflected in improved institutional performance and officers’ career progression.
“The management of the Nigeria Customs Service, under the leadership of the Comptroller-General, has continued to commit significant resources to strengthening the Command and Staff College and its programmes. The impact of these courses will soon reflect in officers’ career progression and institutional performance,” DCG Chiroma said.
He disclosed that participation in Command courses would increasingly become a key prerequisite for career advancement within the Service, urging officers to see their selection as both an honour and a responsibility earned through a rigorous and selective process.
Charging the participants to maximise the opportunity, DCG Chiroma urged them to diligently absorb the knowledge to be imparted, apply it practically in their careers and consistently uphold the values of integrity, accountability and professionalism.
“Modern Customs administration demands officers who are not only operationally competent but also strategically grounded,” he stressed.
He added that the College remains a vital platform for equipping middle-level managers with the skills required to function effectively within a rapidly evolving security and economic landscape, particularly as the Nigeria Customs Service prepares to operate within a new national revenue framework.
The TRADOC Commander further encouraged the officers to embrace a leadership style anchored on character, discipline, sound judgment and loyalty to the core values of the Service. He advised them to conduct themselves as officers and gentlemen, both within and outside the College environment.
Congratulating the participants, DCG Chiroma expressed confidence that they would emerge from the courses as capable leaders and administrators, well-positioned to drive institutional reforms and contribute meaningfully to national economic objectives.
In his remarks, the Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Dow Gaura, described the College as a centre of excellence for capacity building, leadership development and professional training for middle-level management officers.
He said the institution has consistently produced officers who contribute significantly to advancing the operational and strategic goals of the Nigeria Customs Service.
ACG Gaura explained that the Command and Leadership Courses are structured to prepare officers for higher responsibilities by strengthening competencies in leadership, policy analysis, communication and inter-agency cooperation, skills he said are indispensable in addressing contemporary national and global challenges.
He urged the participants to demonstrate high levels of commitment, discipline, punctuality, adaptability and an unquenchable appetite for knowledge, emphasising that academic excellence, integrity and professionalism remain non-negotiable standards within the College.
The Commandant assured the officers of the full support of instructors and directing staff, who will guide and mentor them throughout the duration of the programmes. He also encouraged active participation in sports and recreational activities as part of efforts to promote physical fitness and mental well-being.
Warning against all forms of academic misconduct, including plagiarism and examination malpractice, ACG Gaura stated that the College operates a zero-tolerance policy for such infractions.
“I urge you to comply strictly with the rules and regulations of the institution, responsibly utilise resources provided by the Service, and protect the College environment,” he said.
He formally declared Senior Course 14 and Junior Course 24 open, congratulated the participants and expressed confidence that the training would be impactful, enriching and career-defining, while wishing them a successful and rewarding academic experience.
