The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it is intensifying community-based Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Lagos State’s schools.
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Mr Bashir Adeniyi, made this known during the inauguration of the renovated Methodist Primary School, Ibeshe, Ikorodu area in Lagos on Wednesday.
Adeniyi explained that the service’s CRS usually targeted life-changing interventions such as education, healthcare, waters sports and creative industry.
Some of the facilities provided in the renovated school included over 15 different blocks of classrooms, toilets for teachers and pupils, clinic,food vendors’ spot, multipurpose hall, playing ground and class rooms for kindergarten, refuse incinerator and a clinic.
Other facilities were 15 number of solar security lights, reconstruction of children, gingle overwing, renovation of entrance gate and a security house as well as furnishing, among others.
Also, the renovated schools were equipped with computer rooms, school library and classrooms, among others.
The comptroller-general said the service would not only be known for revenue generation but also for improving the lives of the Nigerian people as part of its CSR.
He promised to enhance communities’ well-being and foster sustainable development, ultimately making a positive impact on the lives of those it served.
“Our CSR, which commenced in 2025 targeted to directly reach out to more than 50,000 students across the country with writing tools, bags, school uniforms, pencils, pens, erasers, sharpeners, shoes and raincoats, among others.
“We have donated writing materials to over 20,000 children, and we will still reach out to school pupils in other parts of the country.
“We have budgeted healthcare delivery for Nigerians, what we are doing is in line with our CSR, all the communities where we serve remain strong pillars which is why we will continue supporting them.
” As we commission this project today, I urge the school and the benefiting community to see it not only as a gift but as a shared responsibility.
“Let us maintain it, put it to good use, and keep the spirit of partnership alive,” Adeniyi said.
Speaking earlier, the retired Customs Area Controller, Lilypond Export Customs Command, Mr Ajibola Odusanya, appreciated Adeniyi for giving the command the opportunity to participate in the CSR.
He also thanked comptroller-general, stakeholders and the officers for making the command’s dream a reality for the use of humanity.
Odusanya said education was a light, adding that giving children basic education in a conducive environment would encourage more students within the Ikorodu community to be educated.
He said that the NCS would also take total responsibility of proper maintenance of the renovated buildings.
In his goodwill message, the Customs Area Controller, Lilypond Export Command, Comptroller Samuel Ariyibi, commended the former and retired Comptroller of the command, Ajibola Odusanya, for the laudable initiative.
Ariyibi also commended the support of the CGC for giving them the opportunity to touch lives and give back to their society.
Ariyibi urged the school’s authority to create a maintenance section for the renovated buildings, adding that customs had adopted the school for continuous maintenance till eternity.
He urged other agencies to emulate the Nigeria Customs Service’s kind gesture.
The Executive Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), Dr Hekeem Shittu, represented by its Secretary, Mr Lamidi Hakeem, commended customs for taking a step towards enhancing better learning outcomes.
Shittu acknowledged the NCS’ initiative, opining that education remained the bedrock of sustainable development.
The Headmistress of Methodist Primary School, Ibeshe, Ikorodu , Mrs Felicia Oyatoye, appreciated the NCS for the school’s renovation.
Oyatoye said that the renovation would enable them to teach the children in a more conducive environment, adding that the project was an example of CGC’s impactful leadership
The inauguration was witnessed by the traditional ruler of Ibeshe kingdom, stakeholders, well-wishers, Lagos State and customs officials, among others.
