The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has charged officers of the Service to embrace discomfort as a necessary condition for growth and effective leadership, stressing that meaningful progress does not occur within comfort zones.
Speaking during a leadership training programme organised by the Service, Adeniyi described the course as a proactive initiative aimed at preparing officers for higher responsibilities amid evolving operational demands, security threats, and trade facilitation challenges.
According to the NCS, the training is designed to equip participants with the skills and mindset required to navigate the increasingly complex environment in which the Service operates. Adeniyi noted that the future strength of the Customs Service will depend largely on the quality of decisions and leadership demonstrated by officers currently undergoing training.
The programme featured in-depth sessions on critical leadership competencies, including authenticity, emotional intelligence, effective communication, strategic thinking, and stakeholder relationship management. Participants also undertook a leadership case study focused on teamwork and collective responsibility, highlighting the importance of collaboration in achieving organisational goals.
In a statement, the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Abdullahi Maiwada, said the training aligns with the NCS’s broader reform agenda aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and professionalism.
While congratulating the participants, Adeniyi challenged them to justify the Service’s investment in their development by translating the knowledge gained into measurable and impactful results.
The renewed emphasis on leadership development comes against the backdrop of intensified anti-smuggling operations by the NCS in the South-West, where the Service recently intercepted contraband goods valued at over ₦3.32 billion within six weeks. However, enforcement efforts have also faced resistance, including violent attacks on Customs operatives in Ogun State that resulted in the death of an officer.