By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Yakubu Gowon University to support academic development, research and student welfare.
Adeniyi made the pledge on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Hakeem Fawehinmi, and other principal officers to the Customs Headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking during the meeting, the Customs boss recalled the long-standing relationship between the Service and the institution, noting that previous efforts had been made to formalise collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
“I have a long institutional history with this university. During my tenure as Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, we made serious efforts to formalise a partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding,” Adeniyi said.
According to him, the agreement was close to being signed before leadership changes on both sides stalled the process.
Despite the setback, Adeniyi said the NCS had continued to support the institution through various interventions, including the donation of a 32-seater bus and the establishment of a computer centre equipped with nearly 100 workstations.
“These were deliberate efforts aimed at building lasting institutional partnerships,” he stated.
The Comptroller-General assured the university management that the Service would consider fresh proposals for collaboration, particularly projects capable of improving students’ learning conditions and addressing infrastructural challenges.
“For us, beyond legacy, what matters most is impact. We understand the realities facing Nigerian universities, from transportation challenges to infrastructure gaps. Our interest is to support initiatives that will create a conducive learning environment and positively impact students,” he added.
Adeniyi further disclosed that the Service could adopt a phased implementation strategy for proposed projects, depending on available resources and priority needs.
He also stressed the importance of building a university in the Federal Capital Territory that reflects the status of the nation’s capital.
“It is important for us to have a university in Abuja that truly reflects the status of Nigeria’s capital. I am willing to work with you in that regard,” he said.
Earlier, Fawehinmi commended the leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service, describing the agency as a key contributor to the Federal Government’s economic and governance reforms.
“We have come with the highest level of leadership of the university to congratulate you and appreciate the tremendous work being done by the Nigeria Customs Service under your leadership,” the Vice-Chancellor said.
He noted that the university, which has an undergraduate population of nearly 40,000 students, requires support in areas such as transportation, ICT infrastructure, research facilities and professional collaboration.
Fawehinmi also proposed partnership opportunities between the NCS and the university’s Centre for Defence and Migration Studies, particularly in border management, migration studies, executive training and national security research.
“The real beneficiaries of such collaboration will be young Nigerians who represent the future leadership of this country,” he said.
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