Customs Okays Appointment of New Management Staff, Special Promotions

¶ Adeniyi announces mandatory drug test for recruits, serving officers

James Emejo in Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) has approved the appointment of new management members.

The board also okayed special promotions following its 64th Regular Meeting.

According to a statement issued by the service, key decisions affecting the service’s leadership structure and personnel development were considered during the meeting.

The board headed by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, confirmed the appointment of five Deputy Comptroller-Generals of Customs (DCGs) and eight Assistant Comptroller-Generals of Customs (ACGs), in line with statutory provisions and the Federal Character Policy of the federal government as contained in Section 14(4) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

Those elevated to the rank of Deputy Comptroller-General include Baba Imam (North-East), Isah Umar (North-West), Tijjani Abe (North-West), Timi Bomodi (South-South) and Oluyomi Adebakin (South-West).

Their appointments follow the retirement of some senior officers and are expected to strengthen strategic leadership across formations.

Similarly, the Board is expected to write approved the appointment of C.G. Ogbonna (South-East), I. Abba-Aji (North-East), G.M. Haruna (South-South), E.J. Edelduok (South-South), G. Gaura (North-West), I. Isyaku (North-West), M.S. Shuaibu (North-Central) and M.D. Malah (North-East) as Assistant Comptroller-General.

Their elevation reflects the board’s continued commitment to enhancing policy execution, compliance management, and operational efficiency.

In the same vein, the board also approved Special Promotion for 10 officers who demonstrated exceptional professionalism, leadership and outstanding service performance.

The special promotion category, according to the board, is a recognition reserved for officers whose work has significantly improved operations in their respective commands/units and contributed meaningfully to national revenue and security.

The board, however, noted that the appointments and promotions were part of ongoing efforts to strengthen leadership succession, enhance morale and ensure that the Service remains responsive to emerging trade, security and administrative challenges.

They included A.C. Fanyam as Comptroller of Customs, G.M. Shidali as Comptroller of Customs, S. Omofoma as Deputy Comptroller of Customs, O.A. Oladepo as Deputy Comptroller of Customs, A.Y. Musa as Deputy Comptroller of Customs.

Others are A. Ogboru as Deputy Comptroller of Customs, A.A. Maiwada as Deputy Comptroller of Customs, C.N. Essien as Assistant Comptroller of Customs, H. Aliyu as Assistant Comptroller of Customs, and A.S. Shofadekan as Deputy Superintendent of Customs.

In another development, Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said said the service had concluded arrangements to subject all incoming officers and men to a mandatory drug test as part of the ongoing recruitment exercise.

Speaking at the close of the CGC’s 2025 Conference in Abuja, he said the measure was designed to ensure that no recruit enters the service with substance-abuse tendencies that could compromise judgment, security responsibilities, or operational integrity.

According to him, the new directive is aimed primarily at the fresh intake of recruits, but serving officers will also be captured as the Service moves towards establishing what he described as “a fully drug-free institution.”

He said a mandatory drug test would be carried out for all officers and men across all Zones, Commands and at the Headquarters, noting that the Service would no longer tolerate a situation where personnel make sensitive decisions while under the influence of drugs.

Adeniyi explained that the decision was informed by experiences where erratic behaviour or poor decision-making in some Commands was later linked to substance misuse.

He said, “There will be no compromise. We are going to ensure that every new officer is tested so that we do not begin to spend Service resources rehabilitating personnel.”

He warned that the era of overlooking early signs of substance abuse in the ranks was over, stressing that officers assigned to revenue collection, enforcement and border security must possess sound judgment at all times.

He also reminded officers to prioritise their personal health and undergo regular medical checks, stating that physical and mental fitness remain essential to effective service delivery.