The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Oyo/Osun Area Command, has witnessed a smooth and orderly transition of leadership with the assumption of office by the Deputy Comptroller of Customs (DCC), Moses Wale Adewole, as the Acting Customs Area Controller.
This development follows the redeployment of the former Area Controller, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, to the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Lagos.
Speaking at the handing-over ceremony, Adewole expressed profound appreciation to the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the entire Management of the Service for the confidence reposed in him. He described his appointment as a call to greater responsibility and pledged to lead with professionalism, integrity, discipline, and teamwork in furtherance of the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service.
The Acting Area Controller commended Aliyu for his exemplary leadership and remarkable achievements in revenue generation, anti-smuggling operations, and stakeholder engagement. He assured officers and stakeholders that his administration would consolidate on the gains recorded and strive to exceed existing benchmarks.
Adewole outlined his strategic focus areas to include enhanced and transparent revenue collection, strengthened anti-smuggling operations through robust collaboration with sister security agencies, continuous capacity building and improved welfare for officers, promotion of sound work ethics and discipline, and sustained engagement with traditional institutions, business communities, importers, exporters, and other stakeholders across Oyo and Osun States.
In his remarks, the outgoing Area Controller, Aliyu, described his tenure as fulfilling and impactful. He highlighted the strong collaboration enjoyed with the governments and people of Oyo and Osun States, effective synergy with sister security agencies, and sustained engagement with traditional rulers within the Command’s area of responsibility.
Aliyu also noted the Command’s improved revenue performance, attributing it to enhanced compliance, structured engagement with excise factories, and the deployment of the B’odogwu Unified Customs Management System. He lauded the officers and men of the Command for their professionalism and resilience, which resulted in notable anti-smuggling successes and the protection of the national economy.
The outgoing Controller advised his successor to sustain capacity-building initiatives, deepen engagement with border communities, and ensure the completion of the Command’s Corporate Social Responsibility project—the proposed Solar-Powered Healthcare Centre at Iragbiji.
The ceremony concluded with goodwill messages and a shared commitment to service excellence, continuity, and the overarching vision of the Nigeria Customs Service.