By Ajibola Adedoye
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has concluded a strategic leadership retreat for newly promoted Comptrollers, designed to prepare them for higher responsibilities in line with global best practices in customs administration.
The week-long retreat, held at the Sen. Ahmed Makarfi Auditorium of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, ran from 7 to 11 October 2025. It was declared open by the Deputy Comptroller-General (DCG) in charge of Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), DCG Sulaiman Chiroma, and officially closed by the DCG in charge of Human Resource Development, DCG Greg Itotoh.
Declaring the event open, DCG Chiroma described the retreat as a crucial part of the Comptroller-General’s reform agenda, aimed at strengthening the leadership capacity of senior officers.
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“This retreat provides an opportunity to realign with the CGC’s three-point agenda: collaboration, consolidation, and innovation, to ensure that every officer contributes meaningfully to the modernisation drive of the Service,” Chiroma stated.
He stressed the importance of discipline, accountability, and innovation in leadership, noting that the performance of Comptrollers will significantly impact the public perception of the Service.
In his closing address, DCG Itotoh congratulated the participants and reminded them that their promotion was not only a recognition of past efforts but also a call to greater responsibility.
“You are now managers of men and resources, and you must embody the discipline, excellence, and transparency that define the CGC’s vision,” he said, urging them to uphold professionalism and integrity in all their duties.
DCG Itotoh also challenged the new Comptrollers to become mentors and catalysts for improved efficiency, stakeholder trust, and sustainable revenue performance.
As part of the retreat, the National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, delivered a lecture titled “Stakeholder Management, Media Community, and Employee Relationship.”
He advised the officers to foster open communication, avoid internal gossip, and build strong, credible relationships both within and outside the Service.
“Public relations is not just about disseminating information; it’s about building trust, maintaining credibility, and ensuring every officer becomes a true ambassador of Customs integrity,” Maiwada said.
Following the closing ceremony, newly promoted Comptrollers Usman Yahaya, Murtala Mu’azu, and Josephine Egwakide expressed appreciation to the CGC and the management team for the opportunity to serve at a higher level.
They pledged to protect the image of the Service and contribute meaningfully to the CGC’s vision of institutional excellence and stakeholder confidence.
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