The Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC) in Gwagwalada convened on Thursday, 5 February 2026, to formally open a combined training cohort of 100 officers, marking a significant investment in the Service's leadership pipeline. The ceremony took place at the Ahmad Makarfi Hall and drew participation from senior directing staff and newly enrolled students alike.
The inaugurated cohort comprises 50 officers enrolled in Senior Course 14 and another 50 entering Junior Course 24. Senior Course participants will undergo six months of intensive preparation, while their Junior Course counterparts will complete their programme within three months. The parallel structure reflects the College's approach to tiered professional development, targeting both experienced mid-level managers and junior officers poised for advancement.
Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs Sulaiman Chiroma, who commands the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), delivered remarks on behalf of Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi. DCG Chiroma framed the inauguration as a pivotal moment in the Service's evolution from a focus on operational efficiency toward deliberate strategic leadership cultivation. He noted that under the Comptroller-General's direction, the Nigeria Customs Service has directed substantial resources toward strengthening the College and expanding its curriculum offerings.
"The impact of these courses will soon reflect in officers' career progression and institutional performance," DCG Chiroma stated, signalling a shift toward mandatory command-course participation for promotion eligibility. He described the nomination process as deliberately selective, characterising acceptance into the programme as both a privilege and an obligation earned through demonstrated merit.
The TRADOC Commander challenged participants to absorb the knowledge imparted during their respective courses and apply it with integrity and professionalism throughout their careers. "Modern Customs administration demands officers who are not only operationally competent but also strategically grounded," he emphasised. DCG Chiroma also referenced the national revenue framework currently taking shape, positioning the College's role as essential in preparing officers to operate within evolving fiscal and trade policy environments.
Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Dow Gaura, Commandant of NCCSC, reinforced the institution's mandate as a centre for capacity building, professional training, and leadership development. He outlined that the current Command and Leadership Courses are engineered to ready officers for greater responsibility by sharpening competencies in strategic planning, policy analysis, cross-agency coordination, and effective communication.
ACG Gaura expressed confidence that the 100 officers would emerge as capable administrators equipped to drive institutional reforms and contribute to national economic objectives. He urged them to embody the core values of the Service in their conduct both within the College and in the wider professional community.