The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening and revitalising the long-standing partnership between the Nigeria Customs Service and Yakubu Gowon University, with a focus on delivering tangible benefits in education, research, and student development.
Adeniyi made the pledge on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at the Customs Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, while hosting the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Hakeem Fawehinmi, and other principal officers during a courtesy visit.
Reflecting on his long-standing relationship with the institution, Adeniyi recalled earlier efforts to formalise collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding during his tenure as Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College.
“I have a long institutional history with this university. We made significant progress towards formalising a partnership in the past, but leadership changes on both sides stalled the process”, he said.
Despite that setback, he noted that the Service had consistently supported the university through strategic interventions, including the donation of a 32-seater bus and the establishment of a fully equipped computer centre with nearly 100 workstations.
According to him, the renewed engagement will prioritise initiatives capable of delivering measurable impact. “Beyond legacy, what matters most is impact. We are aware of the challenges facing Nigerian universities, and our goal is to support projects that will improve learning conditions and directly benefit students”, Adeniyi stated.
He added that the Service is open to implementing projects in phases where necessary, focusing first on priority areas with the greatest potential for impact.
The Customs chief also underscored the importance of strengthening institutions within the Federal Capital Territory, noting the need for a university that reflects Abuja’s national significance.
“It is important for us to have a university in Abuja that truly reflects the status of Nigeria’s capital. I am willing to work closely with the university to achieve this”, he said.
In his remarks, Vice-Chancellor Fawehinmi commended the leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service, describing it as a key contributor to the Federal Government’s economic and governance reforms.
“We are here to appreciate the remarkable work being done under your leadership and to explore areas of strategic collaboration”, he said.
Fawehinmi highlighted the university’s growing demands, noting that its student population of nearly 40,000 places pressure on infrastructure and operations. He identified key areas for partnership, including transportation, ICT infrastructure, research development, and professional training.
He also pointed to the university’s Centre for Defence and Migration Studies as a strategic platform for collaboration in border management, migration research, executive training, and national security.
“The ultimate beneficiaries of this partnership will be young Nigerians, who represent the future leadership of this country”, he added.