Nigeria Customs Honours Female Officers to Mark 2026 IWD
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Friday honoured about 50 of its female officers with flowers in Abuja, in a symbolic gesture of appreciation for their contributions to the Service.
The initiative, which formed part of an event themed, “Nigeria Customs Celebrate You,” as part of commemorating the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD), underscored the Service’s renewed commitment to gender equity and the recognition of women beyond ceremonial occasions.
Speaking at the event, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, described the gesture as a deliberate departure from routine, noting that the celebration was intentionally unscripted.
“You were expecting a full military parade, and this is exactly the point. You are not supposed to see this coming. Too often, recognition comes only when it is convenient, when it is scheduled. Today, we want to do something different,” he said.
Adeniyi emphasised that women in the Service are not merely supporting actors but key drivers of its operations, contributing across frontline duties and leadership roles.
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“We believe that the women of this Service are not just supporting tasks. You are central to everything that we do, from the front line at our ports and border stations to the boardroom where policy is shaped with care and precision. Today, all of us in Customs want to say thank you,” he stated.
He further assured that the Service would continue to entrust female officers with critical responsibilities, postings, and leadership roles, in line with its commitment to merit and inclusiveness.
“We are committed to an institution where a woman’s talent, education, and ambition determine how far she goes, and nothing else,” the Comptroller-General added.
Highlighting the realities faced by many women in uniform, Adeniyi acknowledged their dual roles at home and at work, stressing that their efforts are recognised and valued.
“The woman who wakes up early to care for her family before putting on that uniform and taking her post is seen, respected, and valued for exactly what she is,” he said.
He noted that over 6,000 women currently serve in the Nigeria Customs across various capacities, adding that while not all could be individually recognised, the Service continues to demonstrate appreciation through opportunities and responsibilities entrusted to them.
“It is not possible for us to single-handedly pick each and every one of you. But we have shown recognition through the responsibilities, postings, and assignments we entrust to women, and I am very happy that they are doing those assignments well,” Adeniyi said.
