Nigeria Customs Service Celebrates International Customs Day with Focus On Efficiency, Security, Prosperity

Nigeria Customs Service Celebrates International Customs Day with Focus On Efficiency, Security, Prosperity
….turn commitments into tangible actions,WCO urges members

ACG, Charles Orbih ( L) and Comptroller Frank Onyeka,at the ICD celebration ,at TinCan  Island Port Command ,on Monday

By Frank Odinukaeze

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) celebrated International Customs Day with a special event held at Tin Can Island Port. The theme for this year, “Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security, and Prosperity,” aligns closely with the policy thrusts of Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, which focus on collaboration, consolidation, and innovation.
ACG Orbih, the Zone ‘A’ Coordinator, delivered the welcome address, emphasizing the critical role of the NCS in national development and the significance of the International Customs Day. He highlighted Zone ‘A’ as a crucial economic gateway for Nigeria, connecting the nation with global markets and underscoring the strategic importance of getting customs processes right.

ACG Charles Orbih,Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘A’ (L), and Comptroller Frank Onyeka,cutting the ICD celebration cake at TICIP,command, on Monday 

Orbih called upon esteemed leaders and decision-makers to support the NCS’s vision through strategic investments in infrastructure, technological capabilities, and human capital. He emphasized that empowering the NCS directly contributes to national economic resilience, security, and global competitiveness.

The event recognized the extraordinary contributions of outstanding officers and stakeholders who have advanced the NCS’s mission through innovative solutions that enhance revenue collection, facilitate trade, and protect national economic interests. Orbih urged customs officers to embrace the theme of this year’s International Customs Day throughout the year, demonstrating their commitment through consistent, professional, and innovative service.

The celebration highlighted the NCS’s mission, which transcends bureaucratic processes, positioning the Service as the silent architects of national prosperity and guardians of economic frontiers. The event was attended by distinguished officers of the NCS, representatives from sister agencies, stakeholders including the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANCLA), the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), and the Nigeria Shippers’ Council (NSC), as well as members of the press.
In his concluding remarks, Orbih expressed his appreciation for the dedication and support in making the International Customs Day a memorable occasion and wished everyone a wonderful celebration.
Meanwhile the Secretary General of World Customs Organisation,WCO,lan Saunders,in a message marking the celebration of the International Customs Day(ICD),and which was read by the Zonal Coordinator,ACG Orbih, admonished members to match commitments with tangible actions.
According to the WCO Secretary General,”This year, special focus is being placed on the need to turn commitments into tangible actions that advance trade facilitation, ensure security and foster sustainable economic growth as part of the WCO’s theme for 2025: “Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security and Prosperity, WCO Members are reminded of the direction that has been set at the WCO, and are invited to showcase the actions they have taken to build momentum as well as to share any measurable progress”.

Sounders added that “Efficiency, security and prosperity are permanent global aims, achieved through steadfast efforts to improve everything Customs does. Efficiency, in particular, is powered by the modernization of Customs procedures and the development of digital services, the promotion of data-driven operations and analytical tools, the use of inspection and monitoring devices, and cooperation and engagement with public and private entities. In the security realm, Customs’ activities range from bolstering supply
chain security to preventing the movement of illicit goods, combating money laundering, and enhancing crisis preparedness”

He noted that ,”The ultimate goal, prosperity, depends on our ability to ensure fair revenue collection, foster innovation and entrepreneurship, support sustainable economic development, and create inclusive policies, procedures and environments that take into account the diverse needs of the citizens we serve.”

He said While Customs works every day to further efficiency, improve security, and support prosperity, “we need to demonstrate more visibly to our governments and society at large how we are taking action and delivering results. Reporting and accountability mechanisms are already in place in some countries. However, they are often aimed at a specialized audience, and Customs achievements and their impact on social well-being are often not well understood by the public.

“This year, we are embarking on a path that challenges us to communicate more and better, to tell the stories of the positive work Customs is doing and to remind ourselves of the fundamental drivers for our effort. When we tell these stories, we must be open and candid. The goals we are pursuing are large and complex, and the work to accomplish them must be understood to be ongoing. To describe our efforts effectively, we must blend data with an ability to tell compelling, people-centered stories By weaving facts and narrative, we can better engage, influence, teach and inspire listeners.”Saunders said.
Also speaking at the auspicious event,Tin Can Island Port( TICIP), Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, informed that the Command has developed a comprehensive action plan rested on three points : Capacity Building, Enhanced Collaboration and Accountability and Integrity.

He said “We are investing in the continuous training and professional development of our officers to equip them with the skills needed for 21st-century Customs operations. We are deepening our partnerships with the private sector, other government agencies, and international organizations to foster a unified approach to trade and border management.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability, recognizing that integrity is the foundation for public trust”.

He reminded officers at the Command that their work has far-reaching effects not only on Nigerians , but also people around the world and admonished them that by delivering on commitments to efficiency, security, and prosperity, “We are not only fulfilling our mandate but also contributing to a brighter future for the nation and the global economy” Comptroller Onyeka said.
While expressing his appreciation to stakeholders and officers of the Command, Comptroller Onyeka appealed,
“Together, let us build a Nigeria Customs Service that is not only efficient and secure but also a true engine of national prosperity”.
High points of the event were the cutting of ICD celebration cake ,by the ACG ,Charles Orbih and Comptroller Frank Onyeka,and also presentation of plaque to the ACG ,by the TICIP Comptroller, Frank Onyeka.