The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zones ‘A and C’, as well as the Seme Border Area Commands of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) preach hard work, loyalty, dedication to duty and patriotism to newly promoted officers during their decoration ceremony that took place recently at the various Commands’ headquarters
By Edu Abade
In a season of promotions and redeployment of middle-level and senior customs officers, Zone A of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU ‘A’) recently decorated no fewer than 186 men and officers, just as the Seme Command celebrated the elevation of 66 officers, while the FOU Zone ‘C’ Owerri, Imo State decorated 67 promoted officers with a charge to perform better.
Speaking at the decoration ceremony at the FOU ‘A’ in Ikeja, Lagos, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, who congratulated the officers on their well deserved promotions, charged them to lead with integrity and humility.
Addressing officers, guests and stakeholders at the decoration ceremony, he described the event as a significant moment in the history of the unit, stating that the promotions were not just about new ranks, but recognition of dedication to duty and a high sense of commitment and loyalty.
Shuaibu commended the officers for their diligence, integrity, courage and professionalism, saying, “The promotions being celebrated here today are not just titles conferred; they are a reflection of your commitment to excellence, your patriotism, and your steadfast service to the Nigeria Customs Service and to our great nation.
“Your elevation is not by chance; it is a reward for hard work,” he stated. He reminded the newly promoted personnel that “with every promotion comes greater responsibility. This is not just a step up in rank it is a call to higher standards of leadership and accountability.”
He charged the officers to uphold the high standards expected of them and to lead with integrity and humility, adding, “Wear your new rank with humility, lead by example, and serve as mentors and role models to your colleagues. True leadership is not about titles or positions it is about service, empathy, and dedication to a cause greater than oneself.”
To those who were not promoted during the exercise, Comptroller Shuaibu said, “Promotion is not a race; it is a journey,” he said, “Continue to serve with commitment and integrity. Be patient and persistent. Your time will come. Promotion ultimately comes from God and your efforts do not go unnoticed.”
He recalled that during the 63rd Regular Meeting of the Nigeria Customs Service Board, chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, no fewer than 3,312 senior officers were promoted, but that during the sixth Management Meeting of the NCS held on Friday, August 29, 2025, another 202 junior officers were elevated.
He disclosed that that a total of 186 officers benefitted from the promotion exercise saying seven Assistant Comptroller of Customs (ACCs) were elevated to Deputy Comptroller of Customs (DCCs) officers, six Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSCs) were promoted to Assistant Comptroller of Customs (ACCs), while 22 officers were elevated from Superintendent of Customs (CSs) to Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSCs).
In a statement made available to journalists by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Command, Hussaini Abdullahi, a Chief Superintendent of Customs, Shuaibu said other promoted officers and men include 27 Deputy Superintendent of Customs (DSCs) who were moved to Superintendent of Customs (CSs), 23 Assistant Superintendent of Customs (ASCs I) to Deputy Superintendent of Customs (SCs), 42 officers from ASCs II to ASCs, 48 Inspector of Customs (ICs) to ASCs II and 11 ASCs to Inspector of Customs.
Comptroller Shuaibu reminded the audience that promotion is not the end of the road but a checkpoint on the long path of service, stressing, “There are greater heights to attain, new challenges to confront and more contributions to be made toward the development of our Service and the progress of our country.
“Once again, I congratulate all the newly promoted officers. May you continue to bring honour to yourselves, to this unit, and to the Nigeria Customs Service at large.”
In a similar vein, the Seme Area Command was filled with joy on Thursday, September 18, 2025, as it celebrated the promotion of 66 senior officers at the NCS’ 63rd Regular Meeting in Abuja.
During their decoration at the ECOWAS Complex, Joint Border Post (JBP), Seme-Krake, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Wale Adenuga, congratulated the officers and reminded them that promotions come with both honour and responsibility.
“This promotion comes with humility. It is not a license for pride, but a call to greater service. Carry your junior colleagues along, celebrate with one another, and let us make Seme Area Command the pride of the Service,” he said.
The CAC commended the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his management team for their tireless efforts in ensuring a fair and transparent promotion exercise, adding that the Command remains committed to supporting the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, whose leadership mantra is trade facilitation.
In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Command, Isah Sulaiman, a Chief Superintendent of Customs, Adenuga pledged that the Seme Command will continue stakeholder engagements to ensure the border remains the pride of the Service and the best in the West African sub-region.
Responding on behalf of the decorated officers, CSC Oreyeni Olufemi expressed gratitude to the CGC, the CAC, senior officers, families and colleagues and pledged that the officers would justify the confidence reposed in them and continue to contribute to the success of the Service.
“The joyous event was graced by Heads of the Sister Security agencies at the JBP, including Nigeria Immigration Service, DSS, NDLEA, NAFDAC, Port Health Service, NAQS, EOD/Anti-Bomb Unit, as well as family members and stakeholders. It was an atmosphere of unity, thanksgiving, and renewed dedication to the vision of the Nigeria Customs Service,” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, the FOU Zone ‘C’, Owerri, Imo State, also decorated 67 newly promoted officers as Comptroller B. A Balogun urged them to uphold integrity, transparency and professionalism in a decoration ceremony to honour the officers.
Speaking, Balogun, who welcomed invited guests, officers and men to what he described as a ‘joyous and important occasion,’ stressed that the promotions were not routine but comes as a recognition of “dedication, discipline, and excellence in service to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the nation at large.
While urging the newly promoted officers to uphold the core values of the NCS, namely integrity, transparency and professionalism he noted that promotion in the Service is a reward for hard work, loyalty, and commitment, and comes with heightened expectations, adding, “This recognition is a call to higher performance, integrity and leadership.”
The promoted officers include three Assistant Controllers (ACs) to Deputy Controllers (DCs), one CSC to AC, four SCs to CSCs, seven DSCs to SCs, 15 ASCs 1 to DSCs, 17 ASCs 11 to ASCs 1, 18 ICs to ASCs 11 and 12 AICs to ICs making a total of 67.
Balogun commended Adeniyi and his management team, reminding the officers that their new ranks come with greater responsibilities, and enjoined the elevated officers to wear their ranks with pride, humility and renewed commitment to the Service and to Nigeria.
While acknowledging the support of families, friends and colleagues, whose sacrifices contributed to the officers’ success, he said, “In the spirit of oneness, those who were not promoted should remain resilient and prepare harder for future opportunities. Promotion is not the end but a journey. Stay committed.”
Balogun reaffirmed the Unit’s commitment to anti-smuggling operations, revenue recovery and generation, as well as trade facilitation aimed at positioning the Zone as a vital arm of the NCS and prayed for continued guidance and strength for all officers in the discharge of their duties.
