The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has established its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Unit, Customs Cares, to contribute to national development.
Its Spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, who said this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday, said the move was part of the service’s efforts to foster growth and promote sustainable impact in the communities where it operates.
The Comptroller-General (C-G), Adewale Adeniyi, had on Jan. 14 announced that the service would implement and roll out a robust CSR strategy.
Adeniyi added that the strategy aligns with the pillars of the presidential priority areas and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Maiwada described the initiative as the service’s acknowledgment of its responsibilities beyond its mandate of trade facilitation, revenue generation, and border security.
“The newly established CSR Unit will spearhead programmes under the “Customs -Cares” initiative, designed to support national development priorities and SDGs.
“These initiatives will include school renovations, mobile clinic activations, food and medical aid, agricultural support, skills acquisition programmes, and youth empowerment.
“Through these strategic interventions, the NCS seeks to enhance public trust, strengthen community relations, and improve the well-being of Nigerians,” he said.
According to the spokesman, the NCS recognises the importance of collaboration in achieving the initiative’s objectives.
In line with this, he reaffirmed the service’s commitment to collaborating with government agencies, non-governmental organisations, private sector partners, and local communities to ensure the project’s success.
He said that the service aims to create sustainable solutions that uplift communities and improve livelihoods.
“The launch marks the beginning of a long-term commitment to CSR, with structured programmes to be implemented nationwide.
“Under the leadership of the Adewale Adeniyi, the NCS remains dedicated to integrating social responsibility into its core operations,” he said.
Maiwada said that the initiative aligns with the Presidential Priority Areas and reinforces the Service’s role as a socially responsible institution.
Through the Customs Cares initiative, he said that the service would complement President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, while strengthening community engagement and staff participation in nation-building efforts.
According to him, as the programme unfolds, the NCS will continue to collaborate with relevant partners to expand its reach and maximise its impact across the country.
He added that the NCS encourages officers, stakeholders, and the general public to embrace the initiative as a collective effort to drive positive change.
