NCS Prioritizes Capacity Building with Graduation of Middle Cadre Officers

NCS Prioritizes Capacity Building with Graduation of Middle Cadre Officers

By prince Benson Davies

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has graduated 100 middle cadre officers from the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada, as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen leadership capacity, operational efficiency, and strategic management across the Service.

The graduation ceremony, which held on December 12, 2025, was attended by senior officers, instructors, and invite d guests, highlighting the Service’s commitment to continuous professional development and institutional excellence. The graduates comprised officers of Senior Course 13 and Junior Course 23, who underwent rigorous training programs designed to prepare them for higher responsibilities in the Service.

Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, the Deputy Comptroller-General (DCG) in charge of Finance, Administration and Technical Services, Kikelomo Adeola, congratulated the graduates and urged them to deploy the skills and values acquired during the programme to enhance service delivery in their respective Commands and units.

“Capacity building remains a central pillar of the Nigeria Customs Service modernization agenda, and officers who pass through this College are expected to translate their training into improved service delivery across all Commands,” DCG Adeola said. She further charged the graduates to uphold professionalism and integrity, noting that they would serve as examples to younger officers and newly recruited personnel.

The Commandant of the College, Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Dow Gaura, described the successful completion of the courses as a reflection of the discipline, resilience, and intellectual rigour demonstrated by the officers throughout the training period. “The College remains committed to professionalising the Nigeria Customs Service through a curriculum that integrates customs law, leadership, operations management, and strategic studies in line with global best practices,” he stated.

The graduates expressed their gratitude to the College and the Service for the opportunity to undergo the training, noting that it had been transformative and had positively impacted their professional outlook. The Course Senior for Course 13, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Umar Garba, said, “The programme has been transformative, strengthening our leadership skills, deepening our understanding of customs procedures, and broadening our perspective on inter-agency collaboration and national security.”

The graduation ceremony featured a Guard of honour for the Special Guest of Honour, presentation of certificates, and awards to outstanding officers. A Regimental Dinner Night was also held earlier in the week to sustain the long-standing service tradition of celebrating students who have undergone rigorous training.