Customs board approves six senior appointments, sanctions officers

The Nigeria Customs Service Board (NCSB) has approved the appointment of six senior officers to the service’s management cadre while taking disciplinary action against other personnel over various cases.

The decisions were reached at the board’s 65th Regular Meeting, chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele.

A statement issued on Sunday by the NCS spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, in Abuja, said the appointments followed the statutory retirement of some officers and were made in line with the Federal Character Policy.

Constantine Dim, representing the South-East, was appointed Deputy Comptroller-General (DCG), while five officers were elevated to the rank of Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG).

The newly appointed ACGs are Pascal Chibuoke, Ethelbert Nnaji, Sani Yahaya, Franklin Onyeka and Chibuzor Eyakwaire.

Chibuoke and Nnaji are from the South-East, Yahaya represents the North-Central, while Onyeka and Eyakwaire are from the South-South.

Maiwada said the appointments were made pursuant to Section 14(4) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, congratulated the newly promoted officers and assured them of the service’s support as they assume their new responsibilities.

The board also approved the elevation of the NCS Medical Corps to a sub-department to be headed by an ACG, with nine Comptrollers assisting the head.

Meanwhile, candidates who were successful in the ongoing 2024/2025 recruitment exercise have been invited to begin documentation as well as physical and medical screening from Monday.

The board also considered appeals arising from disciplinary cases involving personnel. The decisions reached included dismissal, exoneration, warning, compulsory retirement and reinstatement, although the statement did not disclose the identities or specific cases of the affected officers.

On revenue generation, the board reviewed the service’s performance against its 2026 target of N11.074 trillion.

Customs generated N4.30 trillion by the end of June, representing 36.4 per cent of its full-year target.

Maiwada attributed the performance to measures including the full deployment of the Unified Customs Management System, B’Odogwu, as well as expanded post-clearance and real-time audits.

He also cited the Authorised Economic Operator and advance ruling programmes, the use of geospatial technology, joint border patrols and increased engagement with stakeholders in the trading community.

The board further approved the Nigeria Customs Service De-Minimis Regulation, 2025, following recommendations from its Technical and Operations Committee.

According to Maiwada, the regulation is intended to bring Customs operations into line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

The board also received progress reports on the service’s digital transformation programme, including upgrades to trade systems, automation of human resource processes and NII infrastructure.

It further considered proposed amendments to the NCS Act after receiving an invitation from the Federal Ministry of Finance to submit memoranda on the proposed changes.

Maiwada said the amendments could be considered for incorporation into the 2027 Finance Bill.

The board reaffirmed its focus on accountability, institutional strengthening and improved revenue mobilisation across the Nigeria Customs Service.