Comptroller Oshoba Urges Newly Promoted Officers to Uphold Integrity and Embrace Innovation
The Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, has called on newly promoted Deputy and Assistant Comptrollers of Customs to demonstrate integrity, innovation, and a commitment to lifelong learning as they take on greater responsibilities within the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
Addressing the officers at the opening of a special training session held on Wednesday, Comptroller Oshoba congratulated them on their promotions, describing the advancement as both a recognition of diligence and a call to higher service.
He reminded the officers that their new positions come with heightened expectations from both the Service and the nation, urging them to uphold discipline, professionalism, and dedication to the modernization agenda of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR.
“These promotions bring rewards but also greater challenges and responsibilities,” Oshoba stated. “The Service expects deeper commitment, creative problem-solving, and unwavering pursuit of excellence to achieve the CGC’s reform goals.”
Highlighting Customs’ ongoing transformation, the Apapa Area Controller noted that operations are becoming increasingly knowledge-driven, citing initiatives such as the Advance Ruling System, Time Release Study, Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme, and the One Stop Shop mechanism, which are reshaping trade facilitation across Nigeria.
He encouraged the officers to master these tools and apply them effectively to boost efficiency, compliance, and risk management within their areas of operation.
“There are still instances of non-compliance, whether due to ignorance or deliberate evasion of procedures,” Oshoba cautioned. “This requires vigilance and the intelligent use of technology to strengthen risk assessment.”
The Comptroller further advised participants to maximize the training opportunity by engaging actively, sharing ideas, and building professional networks that will enhance teamwork and leadership capacity across Customs formations.
“As emerging leaders, some of you will oversee sensitive duties, including handling release passwords and supervising subordinates,” he said. “You must always uphold justice and honesty, which are fundamental values of the Service.”
Oshoba reaffirmed that capacity building remains a core priority under the current administration, emphasizing that ongoing training and retraining are central to achieving long-term institutional excellence.
“With gratitude to God and in the interest of all participants and facilitators, I hereby declare this training course open,” he concluded.
The training, held at the Apapa Area Command headquarters, is designed to equip newly promoted officers with advanced knowledge and leadership competencies necessary to drive Customs modernization and efficient trade facilitation across the country.
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