The Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) has announced key appointments and promotions during its 61st regular meeting held on December 18, 2024, under the leadership of the Honorable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun.
In a significant reshuffle, the Board confirmed the appointment of one Deputy Comptroller General (DCG) and seven Assistant Comptrollers General (ACGs) to fill vacancies created by recent retirements. The new appointees include DCG S. Chiroma (North-East) and ACGs Z.M. Gaji (North-East), O.A. Adebakin (South-West), G.M. Omale (North-Central), M.S. Yusuf (North-Central), D.A. Nnadi (South-East), H.K. Ejibunu (North-Central), and D. Hassan (North-East).
Additionally, 4,291 senior officers were promoted, marking a major milestone in the Service’s commitment to inclusivity and institutional balance. The appointments and promotions adhere to the Federal Character Policy, as mandated by Section 14(4) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, ensuring equitable representation across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
The Board’s decisions underscore its dedication to strengthening the Customs Service’s leadership and enhancing its operational efficiency nationwide.
The Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) has also recognized the exceptional performance of its personnel during the 2024 promotion exercise, elevating 4,291 senior officers across various ranks. This sweeping promotion reflects the outstanding contributions of both General Duty (GD) and Support Staff (SS) in advancing the Service’s mission.
Key highlights of the promotions include the elevation of 80 Deputy Comptrollers (DC) to Customs Comptrollers (CC), 151 Assistant Comptrollers (AC) to Deputy Comptrollers (DC), and 612 Chief Superintendents of Customs (CSC) to Assistant Comptrollers (AC).
Other notable advancements include 641 Superintendents of Customs (SC) promoted to Chief Superintendents of Customs (CSC), 392 Deputy Superintendents of Customs (DSC) elevated to Superintendents of Customs (SC), and 590 Assistant Superintendents of Customs I (ASC I) advancing to Deputy Superintendents of Customs (DSC). Additionally, 965 Assistant Superintendents of Customs II (ASC II) were promoted to ASC I, and 860 Inspectors of Customs (IC) moved up to ASC II.
This extensive exercise underscores the Service’s commitment to recognizing merit, fostering career growth, and enhancing operational excellence. The promotions further align with the Nigeria Customs Service’s goal of building a motivated and efficient workforce dedicated to national development.
In a gesture of appreciation for outstanding service, the Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) has approved special promotions for 16 officers who demonstrated exceptional performance in their roles. These promotions, based on merit, underscore the Service’s commitment to rewarding extraordinary contributions and fostering excellence within its ranks.
Additionally, the Board honored the late Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Etop Andrew Essien, with a posthumous promotion. Essien, who tragically passed away on June 25, 2024, while presenting before the National Assembly House Committee on Public Accounts, was recognized for his invaluable contributions and unwavering dedication to the Service.
This posthumous promotion is a heartfelt acknowledgment of Essien’s commitment and a testament to the Customs Service’s respect for those who have gone above and beyond in their duty to the nation. These actions reaffirm the organization’s dedication to valuing and celebrating excellence, both in life and in legacy.
To ensure operational stability and retain critical institutional knowledge amidst the retirement of numerous senior officers, the Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) has approved a 12-month service extension for select distinguished officers. This decision, ratified during the recent Board meeting and backed by Presidential approval, addresses the pressing challenge of high turnover within the Service’s management ranks.
The officers granted this prestigious extension represent the six geopolitical zones of the Federation, reflecting the Service’s commitment to inclusivity and balanced leadership. They include Assistant Comptrollers-General B. Imam (North-East), I.G. Umar (North-West), and K.C. Egwu (South-East), alongside Comptrollers F. Abdulqadri (North-Central), M.T. Awe (South-West), and O.F. Ojiefor (South-South).
This strategic measure underscores the Customs Service’s dedication to maintaining continuity in leadership and leveraging the expertise of seasoned officers to guide the organization through a period of significant transition.
In a move to enhance service delivery and align with global best practices, the Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) has approved a strategic restructuring aimed at streamlining administrative processes. A key aspect of this restructuring is the transfer of the Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Unit from the Tariff and Trade Department to the Office of the Comptroller General.
Elevated to a higher status, the PCA Unit will now be led by an Assistant Comptroller General, reflecting its critical role in ensuring compliance and operational efficiency. This shift is designed to strengthen oversight, improve efficiency, and reinforce the Service’s commitment to excellence in its operational standards.
By prioritizing this pivotal unit, the Customs Service is positioning itself to deliver more effective audits and better align with international standards, further enhancing its reputation as a forward-thinking and performance-driven institution.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has extended heartfelt congratulations to all newly appointed, promoted, and retained officers on behalf of the Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB). He encouraged them to uphold the Service’s core mandates and strive for excellence in their duties.
In his message, the CGC also conveyed warm Christmas and New Year wishes to all officers, expressing his sincere appreciation to the Honorable Minister of Finance for facilitating the timely completion of the 2024 promotion cycle.
As part of the celebrations, Adeniyi reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to nurturing a motivated and dynamic workforce, ensuring clear career progression, and maintaining a strong focus on operational excellence. This milestone, he emphasized, marks a continued dedication to the growth and success of the Service.
ABDULLAHI MAIWADA
Chief Superintendent of Customs
National Public Relations Officer
For Comptroller General of Customs
20 December 2024
