FEATURE: Because Nigeria Customs Also Cares for Students
The morning air was crisp with anticipation as students of Government Secondary School (GSS), Wuse Zone 3, Abuja, gathered in their neat uniforms, eyes alight with curiosity.
The usual routine of school bells and classroom chatter had given way to something different—something grand. A sea of expectant faces, young and old, awaited the arrival of dignitaries whose presence signaled something far beyond officialdom.
It was Thursday, March 20, 2025—the day the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) launched its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, “Customs Cares.”
But this was not just another program rolled out for the cameras; it was the beginning of a movement that promised to touch lives in ways that mattered.
As I stepped onto the school grounds, donning my freshly gifted “Customs Cares” t-shirt and cap, I felt an unfamiliar but thrilling sense of belonging. For once, I was not just a reporter; I was a witness to something transformational.
Then came the moment. Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, walked onto the stage with the aura of a man carrying both responsibility and vision. With the measured cadence of a leader who understands the weight of his words, he quoted Mahatma Gandhi:
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
And then, the revered Chinua Achebe:
“While we do our good work, let us not forget that the real solution lies in a world in which charity will have become unnecessary.”
There was silence. The kind that comes when words are not merely spoken but felt.
A New Kind of Customs Service
The Customs Service has long been known for its roles in trade facilitation, revenue generation, and border security. But today, something was shifting.
CGC Adeniyi was unveiling a Customs that not only guards borders but also builds futures.
“Customs Cares is not just a project; it is a promise,” he declared.
A promise to communities. A promise to youth. A promise to a Nigeria where corporate social responsibility is not a side note but a duty.
The initiative, he explained, is rooted in five core pillars: health, education, food security, social investment, and the creative economy.
Health focuses on mobile clinics, medical outreaches, and malaria prevention campaigns. Education encompasses school renovations, scholarships, and learning materials for underserved communities. Food security involves agricultural support and nutrition programs. Social investment includes skill acquisition and youth empowerment, while the creative economy is designed to provide platforms for talent development and job creation.
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The room stirred. This was not lip service. It was a structured, phased-out initiative designed for real impact. And it was beginning right here, in the heart of Abuja.
Moments That Mattered
The launch was not just about speeches. It was about actions that spoke louder.
That day, I saw students scream in joy as they received scholarships from the NCS and Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA). The promise of education, once a distant dream for many, was suddenly within reach.
I watched as mosquito nets were distributed, as medical professionals from NCS ran blood tests, ensuring that the health pillar was not just a bullet point but a commitment in action.
I stood still as a minute of silence was observed for the victims of the tragic CNG tanker explosion at Karu Bridge. A reminder that Customs’ responsibility extended beyond trade—it extended to life itself.
And then came a revelation that made history. The CSR unit of NCS would be headed by Comptroller M.D. Ibrahim—a woman. In a system where leadership often skews male, this was more than a choice. It was a statement.
“No Need to Japa”—A Bold Assurance
Then, in walked the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun. The audience hushed. What he said next was bold.
“No need to Japa. Lives are getting better in Nigeria.”
The words echoed across the hall. A challenge, a promise, and perhaps even a plea.
For years, the “Japa” wave—mass emigration of young Nigerians—has symbolized a loss of faith in the country. But here was the Minister, standing under the banner of “Customs Cares,” declaring that change was underway.
“You, the youth, are the biggest stakeholders. Everything we are doing is for you.”
It was a daring sentiment, met with applause, skepticism, and hope in equal measure.
More Than a Slogan, A Movement
At the heart of it all, one thing was clear: Customs Cares was not a fleeting campaign—it was a commitment.
With 4% of the NCS’ annual wage bill (50% of each officer’s one-month salary) earmarked for CSR, this was not just a government initiative. It was a shared sacrifice. A collective vision.
As the event drew to a close, I found myself looking beyond the banners and official statements. I saw officers who believed in the cause, students whose dreams had been reignited, and a nation that—perhaps—was beginning to redefine what it meant to serve.
Standing there, the words on my t-shirt felt heavier with meaning:
“Protecting Borders. Facilitating Trade. Enriching Lives. Because Customs Cares.”
And maybe, just maybe, Nigeria Cares too.
Tahir Ahmad is a serving corps member at PRNigeria Centre, Abuja. He can be reached at: [email protected].
