…CG Adeniyi Charges Senior Officers to Mentor Next Generation
David Oladimeji
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday, November 27, 2025, hosted a colourful and symbolic decoration ceremony for its newly promoted senior officers at the Headquarters auditorium in Abuja.
The elevation followed the recent approval of appointments by the Nigeria Customs Service Board, marking another step in strengthening leadership depth and operational strategy within the Service.
At the centre of the ceremony were five top-ranking officers who were decorated as Deputy Comptroller-Generals of Customs. The new DCGs are Baba Imam, Isah Umar, Tijjani Abe, Timi Bomodi and Oluyomi Adebakin.
Their promotion comes in the wake of the retirement of some senior officers, creating space for new leadership energy, wider experience and a fresh approach to Customs administration.
In the same breath, eight officers were also decorated as Assistant Comptroller-Generals of Customs, signalling a broad restructuring of top-level command within the NCS.
Those elevated as ACGs include CG Ogbonna, I. Abba-Aji, G.M. Haruna, E.J. Edelduok, G. Gaura, I. Isyaku, M.S. Shuaibu and M.D. Malah — a team many believe will help drive improved compliance and policy execution.
The Service explained that the appointments were made with a strategic intention to boost efficiency, enhance revenue management and strengthen operational oversight nationwide.
Another key highlight of the event was the special promotion of ten officers recognised for exceptional commitment, professionalism and contributions to revenue, enforcement operations and administrative excellence.
Their recognition drew applause from colleagues and guests, with many describing the gesture as a motivation for others to strive harder in their assigned roles.
Speaking at the ceremony, Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, congratulated all the newly promoted officers and urged them to see their new ranks as a call to higher responsibility.
He reminded them that leadership comes with pressure, influence and expectation, stressing the need for integrity, discipline and composure in decision-making.
“It is my prayer that this new set of officers will fulfil their obligations and live up to the responsibilities entrusted to them,” Adeniyi stated, urging unity of purpose at the management level.
He cautioned that senior ranks often attract external pressure, and encouraged the officers to remain loyal to the Service and protect the values they have built over the years.
The CGC appealed to officers who were not recognised in this cycle to remain steadfast, assuring that hard work is never ignored and that recognition will arrive in due time.
He further charged the newly elevated officers to embrace mentorship, reminding them that leadership means transferring knowledge, grooming younger personnel and strengthening institutional legacy.
The Nigeria Customs Service reaffirmed that the promotions reflect its commitment to rewarding merit, expanding leadership capacity, and building a more professional, effective, and future-ready Service.
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