By Harriet Tornguvan
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has honoured outstanding officers, Commands and Units for exemplary service, professionalism and commitment to institutional reforms as the 2025 Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Conference ended with an award night and gala dinner.
The colourful event, which drew the curtain on two days of high-level engagements on operational efficiency, synergy and modernisation, brought together Management members, Comptrollers, senior officers and invited guests to celebrate the Service’s achievements.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, praised officers for their dedication, noting that the Service surpassed its 2025 revenue target even before the conference commenced. He attributed the feat to the collective resolve demonstrated across enforcement operations, trade facilitation and ongoing reforms.
“Tonight is about celebrating ourselves,” the CGC said. “We have worked hard, delivered results and strengthened the pillars that define our mandate. It is only right that we pause to acknowledge excellence within the Service.”
One of the major highlights of the evening was the recognition of the Public Relations Unit for outstanding performance in strategic communication, media visibility and public engagement. The Unit’s effective projection of Customs reforms and achievements—particularly during the C-PACT Summit and the 2025 CGC Conference—was applauded as instrumental to improved public trust and understanding of Customs operations.
The Kano/Jigawa Area Command also emerged as one of the top winners of the night. Under the leadership of Comptroller Abubakar Dalhatu, the Command received the award for Most Improved Command following significant gains in revenue generation, high-profile currency seizures and enhanced enforcement activities. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSC Tahir Balarabe, was also named Public Relations Officer of the Year for excellence in visibility management, crisis communication and proactive stakeholder engagement.
Other Commands, Units and officers were celebrated for exceptional contributions in leadership, innovation, discipline, community relations, anti-smuggling efforts and trade facilitation reflecting the diverse expertise driving the Service’s modernisation agenda.
The ceremony closed with a renewed pledge from officers to deepen professionalism, strengthen collaboration and sustain the momentum of reforms as the Nigeria Customs Service prepares for the year ahead.
