by George Ozalla
The Nigeria Customs Service on Friday, December 12, 2025 graduated 100 middle cadre officers drawn from Senior Course 13 and Junior Course 23 of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, as part of efforts to strengthen leadership capacity, operational efficiency and service delivery across the Service.
The ceremony, which attracted senior officers, instructors and invited guests, underscored the Service’s commitment to continuous professional development and institutional growth.
Representing the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the Deputy Comptroller General in charge of Finance, Administration and Technical Services, Kikelomo Adeola congratulated the graduating officers and urged them to apply the knowledge, discipline and values acquired during the programme in their respective Commands and units.
She said capacity building remains central to the Customs modernisation drive, stressing that officers trained at the College are expected to translate learning into improved performance, professionalism and ethical conduct. Adeola further charged the graduates to serve as role models to younger officers and newly recruited personnel as they return to active duty.
Earlier, the Commandant of the College, Assistant Comptroller General Dow Gaura, said the successful completion of the courses reflected the discipline, resilience and intellectual rigour demonstrated by the officers during the demanding training period. He noted that the College plays a strategic role in professionalising the Customs workforce through a structured curriculum that integrates customs law, leadership development, operations management and strategic studies in line with international best practices.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, the Course Senior for Senior Course 13, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Umar Garba, described the programme as impactful, saying it strengthened leadership skills, deepened operational understanding and broadened perspectives on inter agency collaboration and national security responsibilities.
The graduation ceremony featured a guard of honour for the special guest, presentation of certificates and awards to outstanding officers. It was preceded by a Regimental Dinner Night held on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at the College to mark the completion of three months and six months intensive training for Junior and Senior Courses respectively.
The Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, serves as the Service’s premier institution for mid level and senior officer training, with a mandate to prepare officers for higher leadership responsibilities within the Nigeria Customs Service.
