Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to strengthening intelligence-led border management, modern enforcement techniques, and regional cooperation as the five-day National Training Seminar on Intelligence and the Instruments and Tools of the World Customs Organisation, WCO, concluded in Abuja.
Delivering the closing remarks on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Adewale Adeniyi, the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Strategic Research and Policy, DCG Dera Nnadi, described the seminar as a significant milestone in the Service’s ongoing modernisation drive.
“We did not gather here merely to attend a seminar, but to reaffirm our collective resolve to build a smart, responsive, and intelligence-driven Nigeria Customs Service, one that leads with knowledge, acts with integrity, and serves with distinction,” he said.
He noted that the seminar provided a comprehensive understanding of the WCO’s intelligence frameworks, including the Customs Enforcement Network, CEN, and the SAFE Framework of Standards, emphasising their relevance to Nigeria’s evolving border management challenges.
“These are not just technical resources but strategic assets that empower us to anticipate risks, disrupt illicit networks, and facilitate legitimate trade with precision and integrity. The knowledge gained must translate into practical strategies that strengthen risk analysis, improve profiling techniques, and promote data-driven enforcement,” he added.
DCG Nnadi commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for granting approval and providing strategic guidance for the training, describing him as a visionary leader whose reforms continue to position Nigeria as a driving force in global customs administration.
He further appreciated the collaboration of the Regional Intelligence Liaison Offices, RILO, for West and Central Africa, as well as the local and international facilitators whose expertise contributed to the seminar’s success.
“As we conclude, let us carry forward the spirit of professionalism, vigilance, and service. Let us continue to build a Customs Service that is proactive, intelligence-led, and globally competitive,” he said.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Mr. Amadou Sissé, Head of RILO West Africa, expressed deep appreciation to the Comptroller-General and the NCS management for their continuous cooperation with the WCO and RILO network.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, for his steadfast commitment to regional intelligence collaboration and capacity development. Nigeria Customs Service continues to set a remarkable example for other administrations in West and Central Africa,” Sissé noted.
He also acknowledged the contributions of all facilitators, participants, translators, and technical staff, as well as the management of BON Hotel Octagon for their hospitality and logistical support.
“The dedication, discipline, and enthusiasm displayed by participants over the past week reflect a deep sense of purpose and professionalism. We look forward to continued collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service in future capacity-building initiatives,” he added.
As the seminar drew to a close, all participants received a certificate of participation and expressed confidence that the knowledge gained would be effectively applied to enhance intelligence coordination, improve risk management, and strengthen enforcement operations across the Service.
The seminar officially closed with a renewed commitment by all participants to uphold the principles of intelligence, integrity, and inter-agency cooperation in the discharge of their duties.
