Just In! Customs Board Confirms Appointment of 5 DCGs, 15 ACGs,  

By Our Correspondent

The Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) has confirmed the appointment of five (5) Deputy Comptroller Generals (DCGs) and fifteen (15) Assistant Comptroller Generals (ACGs) during its 57th regular meeting chaired by the Honorable Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed. 

The Meeting was held on Thursday 4th May 2023 at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters, Abuja. 

The details of the confirmation as stated by the Customs National Spokesperson CSC Abdullahi Maiwada are as follows: Deputy Comptroller Generals: 
1. M ABBA-KURA DCG Enforcement Inspection & Investigation 
2. AG SAIDU DCG Human Resource Development 
3. JP AJOKU DCG Excise, Free Trade Zone & Industrial Incentives 
4. BA ADENIYI DCG Strategic Research and Policy 
5. GA ITOTOH DCG/Commander Training and Doctrine Command. 
Assistant Comptroller Generals: 
1. O PETERS ACG/Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘C’
2. AI ALFA ACG Strategic Research and Policy 
3. HJ SWOMEN ACG Excise, Free Trade Zone & Industrial Incentives 
4. KC EGWUH ACG Doctrine Development and Administration Command 
5. MBA MUSA ACG Tariff and Trade 
6. A DAPPA-WILLIAMS ACG Enforcement Inspection & Investigation 
7. BM JIBO ACG Headquarters 
8. A HAMISU ACG/Commandant Nigeria Customs Command & Staff College 
9. Y SALIHU ACG Finance & Admin 
10. MI YUSUF ACG Training and Coordination 
11. SA BOMAI ACG Board 
12. CK NIAGWAN ACG Technical Services 
13. KI ADEOLA ACG ICT/Modernization 
14. IO BABALOLA ACG/Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘D’
15. BU NWAFOR ACG Human Resource Development. 

The Honorable Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning at the meeting according to Maiwada expressed delight at the outcome of her stewardship of the Nigeria Customs Service Board "It has been a very interesting and educative experience for me as the Chairperson of the Nigeria Customs Service Board. We have seen during this process significant improvement in terms of the operations of the Nigeria Customs Service. We had cause to get several approvals for the Service including enhancement of the remuneration of the staff, and improvement in terms of cost of collections for the Nigeria Customs Service. We have also been able to complete the process toward the realization of the rollout of the Trade Modernization Project. These are all fundamental building blocks that are going to work positively towards enhancing and modernizing the whole of the Nigeria Customs Service in line with the requirements of the World Customs Organization and other protocols that Nigeria is committed to". 

Addressing the future generation of Customs Officers, the NCSB Chairperson, Maiwada said, emphasized the engagement of young officers, including women in the Service. 

In a related development, the board has also approved the implementation of a Competency-Based Accelerated Career Progression Plan (CBACPP). 

The plan, Maiwada said is a proactive strategy designed to close the generational gap that could lead to leadership vacuum in the higher hierarchies of the Nigeria Customs Service if not addressed.

The Board, it is stated also expressed pleasure over the recent enactment of the new Customs Act into law.

  
To facilitate a seamless transition, the Board has made plans to organize a retreat for the Board Members and expanded Management of NCS. 
Following the retreat, according to Maiwada, a stakeholder education and engagement forum will be launched to inform the public about the provision of the new Act and the corresponding compliance requirement.

  
"The aim is to ensure clarity and understanding among stakeholders, enabling them to adapt to the new regulations effectively. Also, the effective date for the full implementation of the New Act is a priority that will be addressed in due course", he said. 

Meanwhile, the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) CFR has congratulated the newly appointed Officers and charged them to work diligently for a better and prosperous Service. 

He emphasized the importance of their roles in achieving the Service’s core functions of revenue collection, suppression of smuggling, and trade facilitation.