By Nkechi Eze
In a remarkable demonstration of its commitment to social development and human capital advancement, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commissioned a newly constructed four-classroom block at the Kirikiri Medium Correctional Centre in Lagos, reinforcing the Service’s dedication to rehabilitation, education, and national development.
The facility was officially commissioned on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi. The project, executed by the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) Command under the Customs Cares Initiative, is aimed at expanding access to education for inmates and strengthening efforts to prepare them for meaningful reintegration into society.
Speaking at the event, CGC Adeniyi underscored the Service’s resolve to sustain people-centred interventions that align with global development priorities and Nigeria’s national policy direction. He stated that the initiative reflects Customs’ broader vision of contributing to societal progress beyond its core statutory mandate of trade facilitation, revenue generation, and border security.
“The Nigeria Customs Service, through the Customs Cares Initiative, will continue to undertake several interventions inspired by the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in education, health, provision of water and support for literacy. These outcomes are driving our efforts, and this project is also in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at improving lives and promoting sustainable national development,” Adeniyi said.
The Customs boss emphasized that education remains a powerful tool for transformation, particularly within correctional facilities where structured learning and vocational training can reshape lives and reduce recidivism. He noted that the classroom block stands not merely as a physical structure, but as a beacon of hope and opportunity for inmates seeking personal growth and a second chance.
Adeniyi also commended the initiator of the project, Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Joy Edeldouk, praising her dedication, foresight, and leadership in ensuring the successful execution of the intervention. He described her efforts as exemplary and reflective of the Service’s evolving culture of corporate social responsibility.
The Comptroller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, who was represented at the ceremony by the Deputy Comptroller-General of Corrections, Amos Kupan, described the project as a significant boost to the correctional centre’s rehabilitation mandate. He applauded the Nigeria Customs Service for demonstrating institutional solidarity in advancing shared national goals.
“This laudable intervention is a clear demonstration of the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and its support for the rehabilitation mandate of the Nigerian Correctional Service,” Kupan said. “We deeply appreciate this partnership, which underscores the shared responsibilities of government institutions in nation-building and human capital development.”
Kupan further noted that the new classroom block would greatly enhance the learning environment within the facility, thereby strengthening ongoing educational and vocational training programmes designed to equip inmates with practical knowledge and skills for life after incarceration.
ACG Joy Edeldouk, alongside the Acting Customs Area Controller of the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, Deputy Comptroller Bolaji Adigun, described the project as a symbol of hope and renewal. They reaffirmed that access to structured education within correctional centres plays a critical role in personal reformation, self-discovery, and productive reintegration into society.
Stakeholders present at the event commended the Nigeria Customs Service for extending its impact beyond its traditional operational responsibilities. Many described the initiative as a shining example of how government institutions can collaborate meaningfully to promote social development, restore dignity, and strengthen the foundations of nation-building.
The ceremony concluded with the official commissioning of the classroom block by the Comptroller-General of Customs, followed by a guided tour of the facility, during which guests inspected the newly completed classrooms designed to create a more conducive learning environment within the correctional centre.
