Customs CG Adeniyi Urges Officers to Embrace Technology, Uphold Integrity
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi, has charged Customs Police Officers (CPO) to embrace technological innovations, strengthen professional discipline and uphold integrity in the discharge of their duties to enhance operational efficiency and protect the reputation of the Service.
Adeniyi gave the charge at the opening of the Inaugural Customs Police Summit 2026, held at the Nigerian Air Force Conference Centre, Jabi, Abuja, with the theme, “Reimagining Customs Policing: Learning from the Past, Responding to the Present, and Preparing for the Future.”
The Comptroller-General said the summit was designed to deliver key outcomes, including a deeper understanding of the customs doctrine anchored on the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and the Revised Arusha Declaration, improved protocols for evidence processing and information exchange, responsible guidelines for the application of data and artificial intelligence in investigations, as well as practical recommendations on training, welfare and recruitment of CPO personnel.
Reflecting on the establishment of the Customs Police in 2013, Adeniyi noted that the unit was introduced with considerable anticipation but had encountered operational challenges, particularly in escorting containers in transit.
He, however, observed that technological advancements had provided more effective ways of monitoring and managing transit containers, urging officers to reassess existing procedures and identify areas where innovation could improve performance.
“Technology has given us better means of managing containers in transit. It is now for CPO to take a second look at some of those matters and see what technology has changed, what technology has available, and what we can now do better,” he said.
Addressing officers and men of the unit, Adeniyi urged them to preserve established best practices, correct operational shortcomings and prepare for emerging challenges.
“To the officers and men of CPO, keep what is right, repair what is not, and build what comes next,” he stated.
The Customs boss further emphasised that the trust of Nigerians and the reputation of the Service depended largely on the conduct of its personnel, stressing the importance of discipline, restraint and professional pride.
He also underscored the need for officers to demonstrate integrity within the Service, noting that “charity begins at home” and that integrity remained the greatest badge any officer could carry.
Adeniyi commended the ACCF officers for their diligence, the Acting Commissioner for his leadership, as well as the organising committee and partners for their contributions to the success of the summit.
The Comptroller-General subsequently declared the inaugural summit closed, urging participants to translate the lessons and recommendations of the gathering into practical improvements in Customs policing and service delivery.
