Customs PR Unit Dazzles at CGC Award Night

.As Kano/Jigawa Command Bags Multiple Recognitions for Excellence

ZAINAB JUNAID

At the 2025 Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Conference in Abuja, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) honoured its workforce for outstanding performances by Commands, Units and individual Officers, particularly those in the Public Relations Unit.

Held from Thursday 20 to Friday 21 November 2025, the two-day event brought together Management members, Comptrollers, Senior Officers, and guests, who graced the event to honour the contributions that shaped the Service’s achievements throughout the year.

The event also featured award and gala night, which sparked excitement and a sense of accomplishment to the attendees, especially the award winners.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi praised officers for their dedication, noting that the Service surpassed its 2025 revenue target before the conference kicked off.

He attributed the success recorded to the collective resolve shown across enforcement operations, trade facilitation initiatives and modernisation programmes.

“Tonight is about celebrating ourselves. We have worked hard, delivered results and strengthened the pillars that define our mandate. It is only right that we pause to acknowledge excellence within the Service,” he added.

During the Award/Gala night, the Public Relations Unit was recognised for its outstanding contributions to strategic communication, media visibility and Stakeholders’ engagement.

The Unit was lauded for effectively projecting Customs reforms and achievements, especially during the C-PACT Summit and the 2025 CGC Conference. Its efforts in countering misinformation, building trust and enhancing public understanding of Customs operations were at the core of the recognition.

Similarly, the Kano/Jigawa Area Command, led by Comptroller Abubakar Dalhatu, also emerged as one of the top honourees of the night.

The Command bagged award for the Most Improved Command, following its remarkable performance in revenue generation, high-profile currency seizures and strengthened enforcement outcomes. Adding to the Command’s recognition, its Public Relations Officer, CSC Tahir Balarabe, won the Best Public Relations Officer of the Year award, a testament to his exceptional work in visibility management, crisis communication, and proactive stakeholder engagement.

Other Commands, Units and Officers were honoured for distinguished service in areas such as leadership, innovation, discipline, community relations, anti-smuggling operations and trade facilitation.

This underscored the diverse and critical roles played across formations in advancing the Service’s modernisation drive.

The ceremony concluded with renewed commitments from officers to deepen professionalism, foster unity and sustain the momentum of reforms as the Nigeria Customs Service prepares for the year ahead.