The Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada, on Thursday, 5 February 2026, inaugurated a combined cohort of 100 officers, comprising 50 participants for Senior Course 14 and 50 for Junior Course 24. The initiative is part of the Customs Service’s commitment to equipping its officers with the skills required to enhance operational efficiency and leadership capacity.
The ceremony, held at Ahmad Makarfi Hall of the College, marked the commencement of the courses, which will run for six months for Senior Course participants and three months for Junior Course participants.
Addressing the newly inaugurated students and members of the Directing Staff, the Commander of the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs Sulaiman Chiroma, speaking on behalf of Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi, described the inauguration as more than the commencement of an academic programme. He said it marks a critical milestone in the Service’s transition from operational efficiency to strategic leadership development.
“The management of the Nigeria Customs Service, under the leadership of the Comptroller-General, has continued to commit significant resources to strengthening the Command and Staff College and its programmes,” DCG Chiroma said. “The impact of these courses will soon reflect in officers’ career progression and institutional performance.”
He explained that participation in Command courses would increasingly be a prerequisite for career advancement within the Service, urging participants to regard their nomination as both a privilege and a responsibility earned through a deliberate, selective process.
The Commander charged the officers to diligently absorb the knowledge to be imparted, apply it in their careers, and uphold integrity, accountability, and professionalism. “Modern Customs administration demands officers who are not only operationally competent but also strategically grounded,” he stressed.
He added, “The College remains a vital platform for equipping middle-level managers with the skills required to function in an increasingly complex security and economic environment, particularly as the Nigeria Customs Service prepares to operate within a new national revenue framework.”
DCG Chiroma further encouraged participants to embrace leadership defined by character, discipline, sound judgment and adherence to the core values of the Service, advising them to conduct themselves as officers and gentlemen both within and outside the College community. He congratulated the officers, expressing confidence that they would emerge as capable leaders and administrators, ready to drive institutional reforms and support national economic objectives.
In his remarks, the Commandant of NCCSC, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Dow Gaura, said the College has remained a centre for capacity building, leadership development, and professional training for middle-level management officers.
ACG Gaura highlighted the College’s role in producing officers who advance the Service’s operational and strategic objectives. He explained that the current Command and Leadership Courses are designed to prepare officers for higher responsibilities by strengthening competencies in leadership, policy analysis, communication, and inter-agency cooperation, skills essential for addressing emerging national and global challenges.
The Commandant urged participants to demonstrate commitment, discipline, punctuality, adaptability, and a strong appetite for knowledge, emphasising that “academic excellence, integrity and professionalism remain non-negotiable standards within the College.”
He assured officers of the availability of instructors and directing staff to guide and mentor them throughout the programme, while encouraging participation in sports and recreational activities to support physical fitness and mental well-being.
ACG Gaura also warned against academic misconduct, including plagiarism and examination malpractice, stating that the College maintains a zero-tolerance policy for such infractions. “I urge you to comply strictly with the rules and regulations of the institution, responsibly utilise resources provided by the Service, and protect the College environment,” he said.
The Commandant formally declared the courses open, congratulated the participants and expressed confidence that the training would be both impactful and enriching, wishing them a successful and rewarding academic experience.
