Nigeria Customs and the Honour of Setting Its House in Order
By Abdulsalam Mahmud
Every institution reaches a point where honesty becomes the only responsible path. For the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), that moment arrived the day its leadership acknowledged the need for clearer standards in a world where security challenges evolve daily.
For years, discussions around discipline and wellness of the Nigeria Customs officers circulated quietly, often handled internally and discreetly, as is expected of a paramilitary institution that values professionalism.
This is why a recent announcement by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, stood out to me as a thoughtful step toward strengthening the internal fabric of the Service. During the closing session of the 2025 CGC Conference in Abuja, he declared that every incoming recruit would undergo a mandatory drug test before being admitted into the Service.
There was no ambiguity in his message. It was straightforward, responsible, and timely. For me, this did not sound like an administrative update. It felt like an affirmation of a value system. In a time when border management is becoming more complex and revenue collection demands sharper instincts, the Service cannot afford to take chances with the mental and physical readiness of those who carry its duties on their shoulders.
Adeniyi’s clarity on this point reflects a leadership that understands the weight of its mandate. His explanation was simple: the measure is designed to ensure that every recruit steps into the Service with the discipline required to uphold the integrity of the uniform. Customs officers represent the nation at sensitive frontlines.
Their judgment shapes national security outcomes, economic stability, and the movement of goods across borders. Ensuring that recruits begin their journey with a clean slate is not punitive. It is protective. What I found particularly commendable was his insistence that the policy would not stop with new recruits.
Serving officers across all Zones, Commands, and Headquarters of the agency would also be screened. This reflects a leadership philosophy that values fairness and consistency. If discipline is foundational, then it must apply to all — from the newest recruit to the most seasoned officer.
Even though the Service has mechanisms for handling personnel welfare and discipline, Adeniyi’s approach signals an institutional desire to deepen an already existing culture of responsibility. It shows a commitment to strengthening the Service from within, and that, in my view, is the highest form of leadership.
His remarks underscored a truth often overlooked in public conversations: the work of the Nigeria Customs is mentally demanding. Officers function in environments that require alertness, precision and sound decision-making. Wellness, therefore, is not just an individual concern; it is an operational necessity.
When the head of the institution insists on prioritising physical and mental fitness, it strengthens the Service’s readiness to perform its duties effectively. This is why the emphasis on regular medical checks is important. It reframes health not as an afterthought but as an integral part of professional excellence. A healthy officer is a confident officer, and a confident officer is better equipped to serve.
The Service, through this directive, is simply reinforcing a standard that benefits personnel and the nation alike. To me, this policy also mirrors global best practices. Across the world, law enforcement and border-security agencies are tightening wellness protocols because the nature of modern threats requires officers who are both physically strong and mentally steady.
Nigeria Customs aligning with such standards places its officers on firmer ground professionally and positions the institution as one willing to evolve with global trends. Beyond the immediate policy shift, there is a deeper lesson here. Institutions grow stronger not by avoiding difficult decisions but by embracing them. The Customs Service has, over the years, invested heavily in reforms across technology, operations, training and modernization.
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Adding a focused wellness directive completes the circle by strengthening the human element — the most important resource of any agency. This step also sends a positive message to the public. It shows a Service willing to hold itself accountable, to raise its own bar, and to ensure that the officers entrusted with national assets are individuals of clarity, soundness and discipline.
Public trust is not demanded; it is earned. And this policy, if faithfully implemented, will contribute meaningfully to the trust Nigerians place in their Customs Service. For the recruits preparing to join the Service, this marks the beginning of a new ethos. It tells them, even before they wear the uniform, that discipline is the bedrock of the institution they are entering.
It teaches them that the Service values their wellbeing as much as it values their output. That is the kind of foundation that builds lasting careers. For serving officers, the policy serves as a reminder of the high standards they have always been associated with. It encourages self-reflection, not from a place of suspicion, but from a desire to uphold the values that define the Service.
It sets the tone for an environment where fitness, discipline and moral clarity are embraced as shared responsibilities. At its core, Adeniyi’s directive is a commitment to institutional renewal. It shows a Service unafraid to evolve, unafraid to strengthen its internal systems, and unafraid to adopt measures that enhance its capacity to serve the nation. It is not a critique of the past; it is an investment in the future.
I also see this policy as an invitation for Nigerians to better understand the pressures faced by the Customs Service. We often expect flawless performance, yet rarely acknowledge the weight of the responsibilities placed on officers who stand as the nation’s first line of economic and security defense. A wellness-based approach supports these officers in ways that enhance their ability to give their best every day.
Furthermore, the directive reinforces the idea that discipline is not merely reactive — it can be preventive. By taking this step early, the Service shields itself from challenges that could arise many years down the line. It embodies the principle that strong institutions are built through foresight, not crisis management.
This decision also reflects a growing recognition that modern security organisations must prioritise human development as much as they prioritise hardware, weapons, or infrastructure. The future of national security rests not only on systems and facilities, but on the clarity and discipline of the people entrusted to operate them.
Additionally, the move strengthens the professional identity of Customs officers. It sends a message that the institution is committed to creating an environment where excellence is nurtured, standards are upheld, and officers can take pride in belonging to a Service that values their total wellbeing — not just their output.
In a broader sense, it helps Nigeria align with the global conversation on security-sector professionalism. More countries are realising that officers function best when they are supported holistically. By embracing this forward-facing approach, the Nigeria Customs signals that it is ready to meet modern expectations with modern thinking.
Above all, this directive reaffirms the idea that discipline and wellbeing are two sides of the same coin. A Service that cares for the strength, clarity and stability of its personnel is a Service that positions itself to serve the nation more effectively, more confidently and more honorably.
I believe this is the kind of courage Nigeria’s security architecture needs — measured, thoughtful, and honest. Leadership is not always about dramatic transformations. Sometimes it is found in the quiet resolve to reinforce values that matter, and to preserve the dignity of an institution by setting standards that protect everyone.
A new dawn of discipline is possible, and with this policy, the Nigeria Customs has taken a clear step toward that future. If sustained, it will not only strengthen the Service internally but will also inspire confidence in the millions of Nigerians who rely on the integrity of its officers every single day.
Mahmud, Deputy Editor of PRNigeria, wrote in via: [email protected].
