By George Ozalla
The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, has received the Times Heroes Award for his contributions to public service and national development.
Adeniyi received the award on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at the THISDAY Dome in Abuja during activities marking the centenary celebration of the Daily Times newspaper.
The ceremony attracted prominent personalities from government, business, traditional institutions and other sectors of the Nigerian society, with individuals and organisations recognised for their contributions to the development of the country.
Receiving the award, Adeniyi said the recognition would inspire him to put in greater effort in the discharge of his responsibilities.
“It’s very good when you do something, and you are recognised; this should be an inspiration to us to do much better,” he said.
The Customs boss said the award was not solely a personal achievement, dedicating it to the officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service for their commitment and sacrifices in carrying out their duties.
He acknowledged the role of Customs officers in safeguarding the nation while performing the Service’s responsibilities in revenue collection, trade facilitation and enforcement of government policies.
Adeniyi said the recognition would further encourage the Service to maintain its focus on improving its operations and contributing to the nation’s economic development.
According to him, the Nigeria Customs Service under his leadership has continued to prioritise increased revenue generation while working to make legitimate trade easier and more efficient.
He also identified the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement as one of the areas receiving attention from the Service, noting that effective trade facilitation would help Nigerian businesses take advantage of opportunities within the continental market.
Adeniyi further stressed the importance of public compliance with customs laws and regulations, saying greater cooperation from citizens and businesses would enable the Service to perform its mandate more efficiently.
He said the progress recorded by the Service could not be separated from the support and cooperation of compliant members of the public, adding that adherence to regulations would contribute to higher standards of service delivery.
The award came as part of the Daily Times’ centenary activities, which sought to celebrate individuals and institutions considered to have made notable contributions to Nigeria’s growth and development.
