.
By Edwin Ifeanyi Nwabugu
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Tuesday 5th August 2025 unveiled a comprehensive service reputation management guide aimed at regulating the conduct and behaviour of its personnel so as to reinforce professionalism and attitudinal behaviour among its its officers.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, the Comptroller General of Customs Wale Adeniyi said that the initiative was a strategic step towards aligning Customs operations with global best practices in transparency, integrity and accountability. ” This handbook is an opportunity for every Custom Officers to be part of the project to rewrite the history of Nigeria Customs, we want to go beyond our traditional mandate ” he stated. A closer look at the manual shows that it captures the expectation for ethical behaviour, conduct, standards and responsible communications, helping officers to understand their roles as not just revenue enforcement and collection but that of a national ambassador.
The CG emphasised that officers should see themselves as trustworthy and responsive public servants. He further detailed revenue collection trajectory under his watch since assuming office, stating that in 2023, Customs recorded over 70% increase and in 2024 , the revenue jumped as high as 92% .” We are making spectacular seizures so as to make Nigeria safer, but most importantly, we are also looking seriously in the area of trade facilitation ecosystem “. the CG stated..He also reminded the officers on gender inclusion in all its operations, in line with the Wold Customs Operation (WCO) mandates.
In his closing speech, the CG thanked President Bola Tinubu for extending his retirement tenure noting that it is a motivation and inspiration to do more.