The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced a strategic leadership refresher course for 100 Deputy Comptrollers to prepare them for higher responsibilities as part of efforts to strengthen succession planning, leadership capacity and ongoing institutional reforms.
The move comes amidst report that the NCS will lose 1,516 officers nationwide over the next two years following the release of statutory retirement lists covering 825 officers in 2026 and 691 officers in 2027.
According to the report, officers across all cadres, from the rank of Deputy Comptroller-General to Customs Assistant II, will exit the service in line with statutory retirement provisions.
Although no official report has linked the retirement to the training, the Commandant of the College, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Dow Gaura, said the participants were carefully selected for higher responsibilities within the Service.
Speaking during the declaration of the workshop open, Gaura, on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi noted that the training was designed to equip them with the leadership qualities required to guide the next generation of Customs officers.
He said, “These officers are expected to serve as role models for the next generation of Customs personnel. This training goes beyond professional competence; it focuses on discipline, succession, conduct and leadership.”
Delivering the keynote lecture, retired Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs Dera Nnadi reminded the officers that promotion comes with greater responsibility rather than personal privilege.
He stressed, “The rank of Deputy Comptroller does not merely confer authority; it confers service. You owe responsibility to the Service, your colleagues, your subordinates, the nation’s leadership and our stakeholders.”
Also speaking, the Deputy Commandant and Director of Studies of the College, Comptroller Haniel Hadison, urged the participants to uphold the traditions of discipline, regimentation and professionalism, stressing that senior officers must lead by example through their conduct, appearance and relationship with subordinates.
Earlier, the Acting Customs Provost Marshal, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Sanusi Saulawa, said the refresher course was designed to prepare Deputy Comptrollers for the increased responsibilities associated with senior leadership positions in the Service.
He said the programme reflects the Comptroller-General’s commitment to continuous capacity building, adding that officers must continually improve their knowledge, strengthen their leadership skills and uphold the discipline, professionalism and integrity required of future managers of the Nigeria Customs Service.
The workshop, organised by the Human Resources Development Department in collaboration with the Customs Police Unit, began on Tuesday at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada.
(The Whistler)