The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has called for renewed commitment to national unity, public service and spiritual reflection as the Service hosted Ramadan Iftar gatherings with officers, government officials and key stakeholders in Abuja.
The events, organised during the holy month of Ramadan, brought together senior government officials, diplomats, captains of industry, security chiefs and members of the Customs management team, both serving and retired.
The first gathering was held on March 4, 2026, at Dunes Hotel in Abuja, where Adeniyi hosted top stakeholders, including representatives of sister security agencies and senior media executives.
Welcoming guests, the Customs boss described Ramadan as a period of reflection, discipline and spiritual renewal, urging Nigerians to apply the lessons of the season to their personal lives and national responsibilities.
“Ramadan is a period that requires absolute dedication to faith. It is a time when we turn to God in prayer and seek guidance in all that we do,” he said.
“I encourage all of us to carry the lessons of this season into our daily lives—in our interactions with one another, with our families, in our businesses and most importantly, in our service to the nation.”
Adeniyi emphasised that Nigeria’s progress depends on unity and shared responsibility, stressing that the commitment of all stakeholders remains essential to achieving lasting peace and economic stability.
“This period calls for total dedication to the service of the country. We must remain united in our commitment to national unity, in our pursuit of economic prosperity and in our determination to strengthen peace and progress in Nigeria,” he added.
Also speaking, the Director of Home Finance at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Ali Muhammad, commended the leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service for advancing reforms aimed at strengthening trade administration and revenue generation.
He highlighted the Service’s increasing use of technology to modernise customs operations, particularly the indigenous digital trade platform B’Odogwu, which he described as a major step towards improving efficiency and transparency in cargo clearance.
Muhammad said the reforms align with the Federal Government’s economic recovery agenda and would help enhance trade facilitation, reduce bottlenecks and strengthen Nigeria’s economic competitiveness.
In her goodwill message, the Managing Director of Trade Modernisation Project Limited, Jummai Umar-Ajijola, also praised the Customs leadership for promoting innovation and institutional reforms within the Service.
She referenced a recent international technology conference in Abu Dhabi where the NCS showcased the B’Odogwu digital platform, which attracted interest from global participants who commended the Service’s indigenous technology-driven approach to customs administration.
Meanwhile, as part of its Ramadan activities, the management of the Nigeria Customs Service also hosted another Iftar dinner on March 5, 2026, at the Service Headquarters in Maitama.
The gathering, organised by Trade Modernisation Project Limited, brought together officers and personnel of the Service in an atmosphere of unity and reflection as Muslim officers observed the breaking of the day’s fast.
Addressing officers at the event, Adeniyi described the season as a time for reflection, self-improvement and supplication to God.
“I pray that the Almighty will answer all our prayers. We pray that during the remaining days of Ramadan and Lent, all our supplications will be accepted,” he said.
He further urged officers to demonstrate compassion and unity.
“We should also be reminded that during this period, we are expected to demonstrate love and affection for each other. I want to wish you a remarkable and memorable fasting period, and may we witness many more Ramadans and Lenten seasons,” he added.
About The Author
