Customs  Conducts Leadership Retreat For Newly Promoted Comptrollers

The Nigeria Customs Service organized a week-long leadership retreat for its newly promoted Comptrollers aimed at strengthening leadership capacity, fostering innovation, and promoting institutional integrity across commands and formations.

The retreat, held at the Sen. Ahmed Makarfi Auditorium of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College in Gwagwalada, was officially opened on Tuesday, 7 October 2025, by the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), DCG Sulaiman Chiroma, and closed on Friday, 11 October 2025, by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Human Resource Development, DCG Greg Itotoh.

During the opening ceremony, DCG Chiroma described the retreat as part of the Comptroller-General of Customs’ ongoing reforms to prepare newly promoted officers for higher responsibilities, in line with global Customs standards.

He urged the officers to lead deliberately by upholding discipline, accountability, and innovation, emphasizing that their performance would shape the Service’s public image.

DCG Chiroma stated, “This retreat offers an opportunity to realign with the CGC’s three-point agenda: collaboration, consolidation, and innovation, ensuring every officer contributes meaningfully to the Service’s modernization effort.”

He emphasized that Comptrollers must demonstrate professionalism and teamwork in translating the vision of Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi into measurable results that enhance trade facilitation and border security.

In his closing remarks, DCG Itotoh praised the participants’ dedication throughout the retreat, noting that their promotion is both a reward for hard work and a call to greater responsibility.

He emphasized that the new rank places them at the forefront of Customs leadership, where integrity, professionalism, and accountability must guide every action.

DCG Itotoh said, “The Nigeria Customs Service expects much from you. You are now managers of people and resources, and you must embody the discipline, excellence, and transparency that define the Comptroller-General’s vision. Every decision you make will reflect not only on you but on the entire Service.”

He reminded the officers that promotion brings higher expectations, encouraging them to apply the training to improve efficiency and mentor their subordinates.

He added that their loyalty should translate into impactful service delivery, stronger stakeholder trust, and sustained revenue performance.

The National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, delivered a lecture during the retreat titled “Stakeholder Management, Media Community, and Employee Relationships.”

Maiwada stressed the importance of effective communication in achieving organizational goals, advising the Comptrollers to avoid gossip and to build positive relationships with productive staff and stakeholders.

Speaking on public relations, AC Maiwada said, “PR is not just about sharing information; it is about building relationships, maintaining credibility, and ensuring every Customs officer becomes an ambassador of the Service’s integrity.”

He further emphasized that transparent communication and positive engagement with the business community are essential to the success of the Comptroller-General’s reforms.

Comptrollers Usman Yahaya, Murtala Mu’azu, and Josephine Egwakide, who spoke to reporters after the closing ceremony, expressed deep gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs and his management team for their support and trust.

They pledged to perform their duties diligently, protect the Service’s image, and ensure the full realization of the CGC’s vision for institutional excellence and stakeholder confidence.