It’s a season of harvests for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as it commissions projects and facilities at the Lagos Free Zone (LFZ) Green Channel, Ibeju-Lekki, Kirikiri Medium Correctional Centre, renovated Methodist Primary School, Ikorodu and the Wale Adeniyi Sports Arena (WASA) at the Western Marine Command under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative
By Edu Abade
In its bid to deliver improved welfare and quality life for officers and men, as well as members of the host communities at various commands, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commissioned several projects and facilities in Lagos State, a major hub of its activities.
To that extent, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi commissioned the Lagos Free Zone (LFZ) Green Channel at Itoke Village in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, describing the initiative as a major boost to trade facilitation and cargo clearance efficiency.
Speaking after the commissioning, Adeniyi assured maritime stakeholders, importers, exporters, freight forwarders and the business community that the Green Channel would significantly reduce cargo clearance time and the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports.
He said the intervention directly addresses long-standing bottlenecks in port operations, adding, “This initiative speaks to trade facilitation. It reduces the time spent on cargo clearance and lowers the cost of doing business at our ports. Containers discharged from vessels are moved immediately through a dedicated Green Channel for examination.”
Adeniyi, who noted that the new process replaces what he described as the former “exuberant” and time-consuming procedures associated with accessing examination bays, said, “What we saw today reflects the trust investors have in us and the confidence we also have in them.”
On revenue generation, he explained that improved efficiency would naturally translate into higher collections, maintaining that, “Once we reduce clearance time and costs, revenue will increase automatically, the Green Channel resolves challenges associated with container stacking and traceability at larger ports. Containers are moved from vessels to a dedicated examination area where their movement can be tracked online. This transparency makes it an idea that deserves time to work.”
Responding to questions on daily container capacity, Adeniyi explained that volumes depend on vessel arrivals, noting that Customs does not determine the number of containers presented for assessment.
In a separate briefing, the management of Lagos Free Zone described the Green Channel as an NCS-approved, dedicated logistics corridor designed to fast-track cargo movement between Lekki Deep Sea Port and the Lagos Free Zone.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos Free Zone, Adesuwa Ladoja, said the initiative gives LFZ-based companies a strong operational advantage.
“The Green Channel enables cargo to move seamlessly from vessel to factory or warehouse through a secure, customs-controlled route,” she said.
She listed key benefits to include faster time to market-cutting clearance timelines from 24–48 hours to just a few hours-lower logistics and demurrage costs, predictable supply chains, enhanced competitiveness for manufacturers and exporters, and regulatory certainty with full customs oversight.
Explaining how the system works, LFZ management said cargo discharged at Lekki Deep Sea Port is moved directly under Customs supervision through the dedicated corridor to the Free Zone, where inspection, verification and final reconciliation are completed.
On the broader economic impact, the management noted that the Green Channel strengthens Lagos Free Zone’s position as a leading hub for manufacturing, logistics, and export-oriented industries, while supporting Nigeria’s trade facilitation agenda and enhancing the country’s competitiveness as a West African trade and production hub.
Also, in a bid to fulfill its Corporate Responsibility mandate to the society, Adeniyi commissioned a state of the art four classrooms at the Kirikiri Security Custodial Centre to enhance learning and capacity building for inmates.
The newly commissioned facility that was completed and delivered by the KLT Customs Command under its Customs Care Unit was a four fully furnished air conditioner classroom, a standard Library, ICT equipped Centre and borehole.
“The project represents a shift on how national institutions should view security and corrections. This project represents more than infrastructure. It represents belief. We believe in rehabilitation and the power of education to transform lives. True security goes beyond enforcement. It requires investment in people. It demands that we strengthen institutions that reform, rebuild and reintegrate individuals into society,” he stated.
Adeniyi added that education remains one of the most effective instruments of corrections while advising that inmates equipped with knowledge and skills are less likely to return to crime and are likely productive when released.
On his part, Controller of Correctional Service Lagos State Command, Daramola George, explained that the intervention is historic and transformative, adding that structured education within Custodial Centres is central to successful reintegration.
George also acknowledged the impact of Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, (ACG) Joy Edeldouk, under whose tenure as Area Controller of KLT Command the project was conceived.
In a related development, the NCS also unveiled the renovated Methodist Primary School, Ibeshe, Ikorodu, a 104-year-old learning ground restored under the Corporate Social Responsibility Programme of the Nigeria Customs Service, Lilypond Export Command.
Tentacle learnt that the project was initiated by Retired Comptroller AY Odunsanya, former Area Controller, Lilypond Export Command, but was however completed by the Customs Area Comptroller, CAC SO Ariyibi, who took over the command.
The CGC described the initiative as part of Customs’ commitment to ride on the pillars of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and deliver projects with direct community impact.
Speaking at the event, Adeniyi recalled that the project initially targeted a single dilapidated classroom block but was later expanded to cover additional buildings after further assessment.
Also reflecting on the renovation, retired Customs Comptroller Odunsanya, who initiated the Methodist Primary School renovation project, expressed gratitude to the NCS and the community for their support in the success of the project. In his brief remarks he thanked the CGC for approving the intervention, noting that the project began during his tenure as Area Controller at the Lilypond Export Command.
He recalled that when his team first identified the school, the head teacher and staff were sceptical, suspecting the effort might be politically motivated, “but Customs proved its commitment by delivering a genuine community impact project.”
He commended the officers and men of the command for their dedication, as well as his successor, Controller Ariyibi for ensuring the completion of the project after his retirement.
Sister agencies such as the NDLEA, DSS, Police, were present including LASUBEB, Oba of Ibeshe land, among other community leaders, parents and residents witnessed the commissioning.
Meanwhile, in another landmark development, Adeniyi, reaffirmed the NCS commitment to personnel welfare and community partnership with the commissioning of the Wale Adeniyi Sports Arena (WASA) at the Western Marine Command.
Addressing officers, community leaders, youth representatives, and other stakeholders at the event, the CGC emphasized that the newly built facility must be actively utilized to promote physical fitness and mental well-being among personnel.
“This facility has been built for us-and it is meant to be used. It is not a structure to be admired from a distance, but a space to be fully embraced and maximally utilized,” he said, while encouraging officers of not only the Western Marine Command, but also those of KLT, Tin Can, PTML and Apapa commands to take advantage of the arena, stressing that operational effectiveness depends on both professional competence and overall well-being.
“Our effectiveness as a Service depends not only on our professional competence, but also on our physical strength and mental well-being,” he noted, describing the sports arena as an investment in resilience, discipline and productivity.
The CGC also commended members of the host community, acknowledging that past misunderstandings had given way to improved dialogue and cooperation.
“There was a time when our relationship was challenged by misunderstandings and tensions. However, I am pleased to acknowledge that we have made significant progress,” he said, adding that trust and partnership had created the enabling environment for projects such as the sports arena to thrive.
Earlier in his welcome address, Controller of Western Marine Command, Comptroller PN Ntadi, described the facility as more than just a recreational centre, but a symbol of purpose, discipline and community engagement.
He pointed out that the arena was named in honour of CGC Wale Adeniyi, a former National Public Relations Officer (NPRO) of the Service in recognition of his professionalism, grassroots engagement and dedication to duty, adding that the WASA project was a reflection of the Command’s belief that security goes beyond patrols and enforcement to include prevention through youth engagement and positive alternatives to crime.
