By Harriet Tornguvan
On May 5, 2024, at the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Headquarters in Abuja, Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi announced a strengthened partnership between the NCS and the National Defence College (NDC) aimed at enhancing national security and facilitating trade.
CGC Adeniyi lauded Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu, the Commandant of the NDC, for his efforts in bolstering national security. He emphasized the high regard in which the NCS holds the NDC and its graduates, acknowledging the institution's critical role in shaping security strategies.
Highlighting the broad scope of national security, CGC Adeniyi pointed out that it encompasses not only the protection of territorial integrity but also areas such as food security, climate, and environmental sustainability. He stressed that the NDC's openness to students from various backgrounds enriches the institution with diverse experiences and perspectives.
Me Adeniyi also mentioned that the NCS has modeled its Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC) in Gwagwalada after military training frameworks, operating it for nearly a decade to enhance the skills of its officers. In cases where the NCS lacks certain resources, officers are sent to the Defence College to gain necessary expertise.
Furthermore, the Custom Boss revealed plans for a specialized university dedicated to customs education, which will collaborate with other customs administrations and established universities offering related courses. The university aims to develop a comprehensive curriculum to meet specific objectives, with anticipated support and guidance from the NDC.
The CGC commended the NDC's commitment to renewable energy, expressing the NCS's intention to adopt some of these technologies in its operations.
Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu, in response, praised CGC Adeniyi as a steadfast collaborator and elaborated on the NDC's initiatives to implement environmentally sustainable technologies. These efforts, he noted, are designed to spark a technological revolution that would strengthen the national economy and create job opportunities for Nigerian youths.
