By Nkechi Eze
In a demonstration of its growing commitment to community development and nation-building beyond revenue collection and border security, the Nigeria Customs Service has continued to expand its Corporate Social Responsibility footprint through the “Customs Cares” initiative, a programme designed to support education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and other critical sectors across the country.
The Service marked the one-year anniversary of the initiative with the commissioning of key educational projects and the donation of sporting materials to Government Secondary School Wuse 3 in Abuja, reaffirming its commitment to empowering young Nigerians and strengthening community partnerships.
The anniversary event, held on Tuesday, featured the commissioning of a newly renovated Assembly Hall, the presentation of basketball jerseys and balls to the school’s basketball team, and the planting of trees within the school premises to promote environmental sustainability and create a more conducive learning environment.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, described “Customs Cares” as a well-structured initiative designed to deliver meaningful impact across several development sectors.
According to him, the programme focuses on education, healthcare, food security, environmental sustainability, social investments, and the creative economy, reflecting the Service’s broader commitment to supporting national development.
“Customs Cares is a structured and impactful CSR programme focused on education, healthcare, food security, environmental sustainability, social investments, and the creative economy,” Adeniyi said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrates the determination of the Nigeria Customs Service to contribute meaningfully to societal growth beyond its statutory responsibilities.
The Comptroller-General also commended the students of the school for their recent basketball victory over a team from the Service, describing the feat as evidence of the discipline, teamwork, and determination being nurtured among young Nigerians.
Adeniyi further emphasised the importance of the Assembly Hall facility, explaining that such spaces play a vital role in building confidence among students, encouraging creativity, and providing a platform for public speaking and intellectual engagement.
He also called for sustainable maintenance of public facilities, stressing the need for collaboration between schools, government institutions, and private organisations to preserve infrastructure and ensure that such interventions continue to deliver long-term value to beneficiaries.
The Customs boss revealed that the Service had set an ambitious target of reaching 50,000 pupils across Nigeria through the Customs Cares programme, adding that about 15,000 students have already benefited within the first year of the initiative.
Beyond educational infrastructure, he explained that the Service’s CSR efforts now extend to critical interventions such as water provision in underserved communities, noting that access to clean water remains a fundamental component of the global sustainable development agenda.
Also speaking at the event, the Head of the Customs Cares Corporate Social Responsibility Unit, Mbwidiffu Ibrahim, described the programme as a strategic response to the developmental needs of communities.
She explained that returning to the school to mark the one-year anniversary of the initiative symbolised the Service’s commitment to continuity, accountability, and measurable impact.
According to her, the intervention represents an investment in the future of Nigerian children and underscores the Service’s belief that education remains one of the most powerful tools for national development.
Representing the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, the Secretary for Education, Danlami Hayyo, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for prioritising education through its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.
He urged the management and students of the school to make effective use of the newly commissioned facility and other resources provided to enhance teaching and learning.
Similarly, the Director and Secretary of the FCT Secondary Education Board, Fatima Babba, described the intervention as a reflection of strong collaboration between public institutions and the education sector in advancing learning opportunities for students.
In her remarks, the Principal of the school, Josephine Ugwu, expressed deep appreciation to the Nigeria Customs Service for the intervention.
She noted that the project, which also includes the installation of CCTV cameras and solar-powered lighting within the school, would significantly enhance security, improve the learning environment, and support the overall development of the institution.
The one-year milestone of the Customs Cares initiative highlights the Nigeria Customs Service’s evolving role as not only a revenue-generating and border management agency but also a strategic partner in advancing social development and community empowerment across the country.
