By Eyere Ekuta
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) volleyball teams emerged as one of the standout attractions of the 2025 Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Nigeria National Volleyball Premier League, posting commanding performances that reflected steady growth, resilience and effective long-term planning in both the men’s and women’s categories.
The Customs women’s team reaffirmed their dominance of the domestic scene, successfully defending their league title to make it two championships in a row since their return to top-flight volleyball in 2024. Their latest triumph was sealed with a convincing 3–0 victory over Life Camp in their final match of the season, cruising to a flawless finish with set scores of 25–11, 25–21 and 25–18.
Earlier in the year, the team had also made a strong impression beyond Nigeria’s borders, competing at the African Women’s Club Championship and going on to claim the Super Volleyball Championship title in Accra, Ghana—further cementing their reputation as one of the country’s most formidable club sides.
The Customs men’s team also delivered a compelling campaign, recording one of the league’s most remarkable turnarounds. After finishing sixth last season, they surged to a silver medal finish in 2025, underlining a rapid rise in form and consistency.
Their resurgence was highlighted by a dramatic encounter against eventual champions, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Spikers, widely regarded as the match of the tournament. Played after 13 days of intense competition at the Indoor Sports Complex of the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, the pulsating five-set clash was watched by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, alongside other dignitaries and enthusiastic fans.
CNS Spikers took the opening set 25–16 before Customs rallied to edge the second 26–24. The naval team regained momentum with a 25–13 win in the third set, but Customs responded with determination, winning a tense fourth set that stretched beyond 30 points to force a decider. In the final set, the Customs men displayed tactical discipline and depth, sealing a thrilling victory and finishing the final phase unbeaten, despite settling for second place overall.
Speaking after the competition, the head coaches of both teams commended the Comptroller-General of Customs for his consistent support, describing it as crucial to the teams’ sustained success and growing confidence on both national and international stages.
The Head of the Nigeria Customs Service Sports Department, Mr Samuel Onikeku, attributed the impressive showing to strategic squad reshuffling, exposure to continental competitions and improved player welfare. He described the season as one of the most successful in the history of Nigerian volleyball, particularly for the women’s team, who completed 20 league matches across two phases without a single defeat.
As the 2025 season drew to a close, the Nigeria Customs volleyball teams stood out not only as champions and runners-up, but as a testament to structured development, institutional backing and a clear blueprint for sustained excellence in Nigerian sports.
