The Nigeria Customs Service Board has approved sweeping promotions and new appointments, elevating senior officers as part of a major restructuring aimed at modernisation, efficiency, and reform The Punch nationalmonitor.com.ng businessnewsng.com.
At its 64th Regular Meeting, chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, the Nigeria Customs Service Board endorsed the elevation of five Deputy Comptroller-Generals and eight Assistant Comptroller-Generals The Punch.
The reforms, announced by Customs spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada, were approved in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023 and the Federal Character principles outlined in Section 14(4) of the Constitution. The restructuring is designed to strengthen leadership capacity, improve efficiency, and align the Service with Nigeria’s broader economic reform agenda.
Beyond promotions, the Customs Service has also rolled out nationwide drug screening for all recruits and serving officers to curb substance abuse and enhance professionalism The Next Edition. Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi explained that the initiative will be integrated into recruitment processes and routine medical checks, ensuring discipline and operational integrity.
Analysts note that the reforms are part of a broader push to modernise Customs operations, reduce trade bottlenecks, and boost non-oil revenue collections under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework businessnewsng.com.
Implications
Leadership Renewal: Promotions strengthen top management and prepare the Service for reform implementation.
Revenue Growth: Modernisation efforts aim to improve clearance timelines and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness.
Discipline: Drug screening underscores a commitment to professionalism and accountability.
Policy Alignment: Reforms align Customs with Nigeria’s economic diversification and trade facilitation goals.
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