Customs: Anti-Corruption Measures Paying Off

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said its sustained anti-corruption measures and institutional reforms are yielding positive results, strengthening integrity, transparency and accountability in its operations.

The Service said the reforms were also helping to mitigate corrupt practices and promote ethical conduct among its officers.

The National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, stated this on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, during the 4th Economic Confidential Lecture and 6th National Spokespersons Awards organised by Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR).

Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the event, themed, “Anti-Corruption Reforms, Economic Stability and Effective Communication,” Maiwada said integrity remained a fundamental pillar of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), noting that the NCS had continued to align its operations with global best practices.

He said the Service had conducted integrity perception surveys involving both internal and external stakeholders, adding that feedback from the exercises had continued to shape its reforms, modernisation projects and collaboration with other government agencies.

According to him, “The World Customs Organisation is very intentional about the integrity of Customs officers worldwide. Nigeria Customs has conducted integrity perception surveys involving both internal and external stakeholders, and the feedback from those exercises has continued to shape our reforms, our modernisation projects and even our collaboration with other government agencies.”

Maiwada also disclosed that the recent visit of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to the Service was part of efforts to further strengthen ethical conduct among Customs officers.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Adamu Aliyu, described corruption as a global challenge that distorts economies, fuels inequality and undermines national security.

Aliyu said corruption was not peculiar to Nigeria or Africa, citing cases across the world as evidence that corrupt practices transcended national boundaries.

Meanwhile, an Assistant Superintendent of Customs I, Folusho Adeogun, Liaison Officer of the Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network (NCBN), emerged as the Young Communicator of the Year at the 6th National Spokespersons Awards.

Receiving the award, Adeogun dedicated the recognition to the NCS and pledged to contribute further to the growth of the Service through effective communication.

He said the recognition would encourage him to do more in the discharge of his responsibilities, adding that it had “energised me to do more.”

Congratulating Adeogun, Maiwada described the award as a reflection of his commitment, professionalism and hard work.

“I am particularly delighted to see one of our young officers receive this recognition. No amount of mentorship can produce results unless the individual is willing to learn and improve himself. Adeogun has demonstrated commitment, professionalism and hard work,” he said.

The jury chairperson, Professor Saudat Abdulbaqi, said the National Spokespersons Awards had grown beyond an annual recognition programme into a platform for promoting professionalism, effective communication and public trust.