The Controller of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Aliyu Gambo, has congratulated the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, on the successful observance of the 2026 International Customs Day (ICD), while acknowledging the Federal Government’s support for ongoing Customs reforms and border security initiatives.
In a statement issued to mark the occasion, Comptroller Gambo described Dr. Adeniyi’s leadership, including his role as Chairman of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, as a significant development that has strengthened Nigeria’s profile within the global Customs community.
He said the 2026 ICD celebration provided an opportunity to assess the evolving role of the Nigeria Customs Service in revenue mobilisation, trade facilitation and national security, noting that the Service remains a critical institution in Nigeria’s economic architecture.
The FOU Zone A Controller referenced the Service’s 2025 revenue collection of over ₦7.2 trillion, which exceeded its annual target, attributing the performance to improved compliance measures, structured enforcement strategies and sustained institutional reforms.
According to him, the revenue outcome, alongside intensified border surveillance, reflects the commitment of Customs officers to curbing smuggling, preventing revenue leakages and supporting legitimate trade across the country.
Comptroller Gambo also highlighted the launch of the Time Release Study (TRS), a World Customs Organisation tool designed to assess and improve cargo clearance processes, describing it as a step towards enhancing efficiency, transparency and predictability within Nigeria’s ports and border stations.
He explained that the implementation of the TRS is expected to reduce cargo dwell time, strengthen supply chain integrity and improve investor confidence in the country’s trade environment.
Aligning the 2026 ICD theme, “Customs Protecting Society Through Vigilance and Commitment,” with the operational mandate of FOU Zone A, the Controller said the Unit continues to prioritise intelligence-driven enforcement, inter-agency cooperation and post-clearance controls aimed at securing trade corridors, particularly within the South-West zone.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Unit to supporting the reform agenda of the Comptroller-General through professionalism, operational discipline and adherence to international best practices.
Comptroller Gambo concluded by congratulating officers of the Nigeria Customs Service nationwide, as well as stakeholders in the trade value chain, calling for sustained collaboration in advancing a responsive and efficient Customs administration capable of supporting Nigeria’s economic growth.
