The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has charged senior officers of the Nigeria Customs Service to embrace reflection, discipline and team driven leadership as they prepare for higher responsibilities.
He gave the charge during a strategic training session under the Senior Customs Command and Leadership Course at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, Abuja, on February 4, 2026.
The training , tagged Senior Customs Command and Leadership Course (Batch A), commenced on Monday, February 3, 2026, and is aimed at preparing officers for leadership roles amid evolving operational, security and trade facilitation challenges.
Adeniyi described the training as a defining investment in the future of the Service, noting that leadership within the NCS is exercised at every level.
He cautioned against the gradual erosion of standards, institutional culture and accountability as senior officers begin to exit the system, stressing that leadership positions often expose both strengths and weaknesses.
According to him, the course is designed to test character, competence and discipline, while discouraging personalisation of authority, hoarding of knowledge and unhealthy competition.
He noted that at this level, success is determined less by technical knowledge and more by personal character, adding that authority amplifies both strength and weakness.
The CGC explained that the training would challenge participants to reflect on their judgment, values and behaviour under pressure, noting that discomfort during the process is deliberate for growth.
The course featured intensive sessions on leadership essentials such as integrity, emotional intelligence, communication skills, strategic thinking, business acumen and stakeholder management, as well as lessons on teamwork drawn from the 4×100-metre relay race.
Adeniyi urged participants to justify the Service’s investment in their development by translating knowledge into results, while encouraging them to apply the lessons learned to strengthen the Nigeria Customs Service and prepare future leaders.
One Comment