The Nigeria Customs Service has launched a Strategic Refresher Course targeting 100 deputy comptrollers to ready them for senior leadership posts and bolster the service's reform agenda. The training began on Tuesday at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College in Gwagwalada, with the Human Resources Development Department and Customs Police Unit coordinating the initiative.
Assistant Comptroller-General Dow Gaura, the college commandant, inaugurated the workshop on behalf of Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi. Gaura stressed that the 100 officers were hand-picked to take on greater responsibilities ahead.
"This training goes beyond professional competence; it focuses on discipline, succession, conduct and leadership," he said. The course aims to cultivate officers who lead by example and inspire future customs personnel, he added.
Gaura noted that as these officers climb the career ladder, they must maintain the highest professionalism standards and deliver leadership that advances reforms across the service. Their conduct will help shape the institution's future direction, he emphasised.
Retired Deputy Comptroller-General Dera Nnadi delivered the keynote address, reminding participants that promotion demands greater responsibility, not personal gain. "The rank of deputy comptroller does not merely confer authority; it confers service," he told the gathered officers.
In his words, the officers owe accountability to the service, colleagues, subordinates, the nation's leadership and stakeholders. Their position carries weight that extends far beyond individual advancement, he stressed.
Comptroller Haniel Hadison, the college's deputy commandant and director of studies, urged participants to protect the service's traditions of discipline and professionalism. Senior officers must exemplify these values through their conduct, appearance and interactions with junior staff, he said.
Deputy Comptroller Sanusi Saulawa, the acting customs provost marshal, explained that the refresher course directly prepares deputy comptrollers for expanded senior leadership roles. According to him, the programme reflects Comptroller-General Adeniyi's dedication to building a capable leadership tier for customs operations.
Saulawa encouraged officers to continuously expand their expertise, strengthen leadership abilities and uphold the integrity the service demands of future leaders. The course reinforces these expectations, he noted.
Participants praised the training as timely and valuable, commending the comptroller-general for approving it. They committed to applying lessons learned to boost discipline, improve service delivery and protect the Nigeria Customs Service's reputation as they step into leadership roles nationwide.
