Customs Trains 180 Deputy Comptrollers in Strategic Leadership Programme
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced the second batch of its Strategic Refresher Course for 180 Deputy Comptrollers of Customs in Zone ‘A’, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen leadership capacity and prepare senior officers for the evolving demands of modern customs administration.
The programme, which began on Tuesday at the Nigeria Customs Training College, Ikeja, Lagos, follows the successful completion of the first batch held at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada.
Declaring the workshop open on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘A’, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Mohammed Babandede, said continuous capacity development remains a key pillar of the Service’s transformation agenda.
He urged participants to view the refresher course as more than a routine training exercise, stressing that their leadership would play a critical role in shaping the future of the Nigeria Customs Service.
According to him, the programme is designed to equip senior officers with the knowledge and skills required to navigate an increasingly complex operational environment driven by emerging security threats, technological advancements and changing global trade dynamics, while also bridging the generational leadership gap within the Service.
Babandede encouraged the officers to take full advantage of the training by embracing innovative leadership approaches that would enhance operational effectiveness and institutional excellence.
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Also speaking, the Acting Customs Provost Marshal, Deputy Comptroller Saulawa Sanusi, described the participants as the vital bridge between the Service’s current leadership and its next generation of managers.
He charged the officers to uphold the highest standards of discipline, accountability and professionalism, emphasising that effective leadership extends beyond operational performance to personal conduct and institutional values.
Sanusi noted that officers’ appearance, etiquette, communication and relationships with other security and government agencies collectively shape public perception of the Service.
He cautioned that in the era of digital communication, a single act of misconduct could quickly undermine years of professional achievement, while exemplary conduct would reinforce public confidence and strengthen the credibility of the Service.
Earlier, the Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Training College, Ikeja, Deputy Comptroller Aminu Ahmed, welcomed the participants and urged them to actively engage in the training sessions and apply the knowledge acquired to improve leadership, professionalism and service delivery across their various commands.
Some participants described the programme as timely and impactful, noting that effective leadership in today’s public service requires emotional intelligence, mentorship, ethical conduct and the ability to inspire subordinates.
The Strategic Refresher Course, jointly organised by the Human Resource Development Department and the Customs Police Unit, features sessions on the future of customs leadership, emotional intelligence, regimental compliance and other strategic subjects aimed at preparing senior officers to meet the challenges of contemporary customs administration.
By PRNigeria
