By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Nigeria Customs Service has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting excellence, professionalism and stronger internal collaboration as the 2025 Comptroller-General of Customs Conference drew to a close with an award night and gala dinner on Friday, 21 November 2025.
The ceremony provided a platform to celebrate outstanding performances by Commands, Units and individual officers, including a notable recognition for the Public Relations Unit.
Held after two days of engagements focused on improving synergy, operational efficiency, and institutional reforms, the event brought together Management members, Comptrollers, Senior Officers, and invited guests to honour the contributions that shaped the Service’s achievements throughout the year.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, commended officers for their dedication, noting that the Service surpassed its 2025 revenue target even before the start of the conference. He described the performance as a reflection of the collective resolve shown across enforcement operations, trade facilitation initiatives and modernisation programmes.
“Tonight is about celebrating ourselves,” the CGC declared. “We have worked hard, delivered results and strengthened the pillars that define our mandate. It is only right that we pause to acknowledge excellence within the Service.”
A significant highlight of the evening was the recognition of the Public Relations Unit for its outstanding contributions to strategic communication, media visibility and stakeholder engagement. The Unit was applauded for effectively projecting Customs reforms and achievements, particularly during the C-PACT Summit and the 2025 CGC Conference. Its efforts in countering misinformation, building trust and enhancing public understanding of Customs operations were at the core of the recognition.
Similarly, the Kano/Jigawa Area Command, led by Comptroller Abubakar Dalhatu, also emerged as one of the top honourees of the night. The Command clinched the award for the Most Improved Command, following its remarkable performance in revenue generation, high-profile currency seizures and strengthened enforcement outcomes. Adding to the Command’s recognition, its Public Relations Officer, CSC Tahir Balarabe, won the Best Public Relations Officer of the Year award, a testament to his exceptional work in visibility management, crisis communication, and proactive stakeholder engagement.
Several other Commands, Units and officers were honoured for distinguished service in areas such as leadership, innovation, discipline, community relations, anti-smuggling operations and trade facilitation. The recognitions underscored the diverse and critical roles played across formations in advancing the Service’s modernisation drive.
The ceremony concluded with renewed commitments from officers to deepen professionalism, foster unity and sustain the momentum of reforms as the Nigeria Customs Service prepares for the year ahead.
