The Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, has called on newly promoted Deputy and Assistant Comptrollers of Customs to embrace innovation, integrity, and continuous learning as they take on greater responsibilities within the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
Speaking at the opening of a special training session organised for the newly elevated officers on Wednesday, Oshoba congratulated the participants, describing their promotion as “a reward for diligence and a renewed call to higher service”.
He emphasised that the new ranks come with heightened expectations from both the Service and the nation, urging the officers to demonstrate excellence, discipline, and commitment to the modernisation agenda of the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
“These elevations come with benefits, challenges, and responsibilities”, Oshoba said.
“The management of the NCS expects greater commitment, innovative thinking, and unwavering dedication to the CGC’s reform and modernisation drive”.
Highlighting the Service’s transformation efforts, the Apapa CAC noted that Customs operations have become increasingly knowledge-driven, supported by modernisations tools such as the Advance Ruling System, Time Release Study, Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, and the One Stop Shop mechanism, all aimed at redefining trade facilitation in Nigeria.
He urged the newly promoted officers to familiarise themselves with these tools and deploy them effectively to enhance efficiency, compliance, and risk management.
“There are still cases of non-compliance, whether from ignorance or deliberate evasion of procedures”, Oshoba cautioned. “This calls for greater vigilance and the smart use of technology in risk assessment”.
Encouraging the officers to leverage the training for professional growth, he advised them to exchange ideas, foster collaboration, and strengthen leadership and teamwork across commands.
“As new leaders, some of you will handle sensitive responsibilities, including custodianship of release passwords and supervision of junior officers”, he said. “You must uphold the principles of Justice and Honesty, which remain core values of our Service”, the CAC stressed.
Oshoba reaffirmed that capacity building remains a top priority for the current leadership of the NCS, emphasising that ongoing training and retraining form part of its long-term strategy for institutional excellence.
The training, held at the Apapa Area Command headquarters, is designed to equip newly promoted officers with advanced knowledge and leadership skills essential for driving Customs modernisation and enhancing trade facilitation.