The Nigeria Customs Service Board has approved the promotion of 4,291 senior officers.

This is even as the service confirmed the appointment of one Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs and seven Assistant Comptroller-Generals.

The National Public Relations Officer of the service, Abdullahi Maiwada, in a statement on Friday, said that the NCSB took the decision last week at its 61st regular meeting.

He added that the meeting was chaired by the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of Economy, Mr Wale Edun.
According to him, the appointments were to fill the vacancies created based on the “retirement of some management team members from the affected geopolitical zones of the federation.”

Maiwada added that the action further aligns with the service’s commitment to national inclusivity, institutional balance, and adherence to the Federal Character Policy as outlined in Section 14(4) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

The NCS spokesperson mentioned that the promotion of senior officers highlights the exceptional performance of both general duty and support staff personnel during the 2024 promotion exercise.

Giving a breakdown of the promoted 4 291 officers, he stated that 80 Deputy Comptrollers advanced to Customs Comptroller, 151 Assistant Comptrollers were promoted to Deputy Comptroller, and 612 Chief Superintendents of Customs were promoted to Assistant Comptroller.

“Others are 641 Superintendents of Customs promoted to Chief Superintendent of Customs, 392 Deputy Superintendents of Customs promoted to Superintendent of Customs, 590 Assistant Superintendents of Customs I promoted to Deputy Superintendent of Customs, 965 Assistant Superintendents of Customs II (ASC II) to ASC I, and 860 Inspectors of Customs (IC) to ASC II,” he explained.

He pointed out that recognising extraordinary contributions, the board also approved special promotions for 16 deserving officers to the next higher rank, “based on their exceptional performance in various assigned responsibilities.”
Maiwada said that the board equally approved a posthumous promotion in honor of the late Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Etop Andrew Essien, who died on June 25, 2024, during a presentation before the National Assembly House Committee on Public Accounts.

“This gesture acknowledges his invaluable contributions and unwavering dedication, a testament to the organization’s appreciation of exceptional service and commitment,” the PRO said.

He announced that as part of its drive for enhanced service delivery and streamlined administrative processes and in line with global best practices, the board approved a strategic restructuring, “transferring the Post Clearance Audit Unit directly to the Office of the Comptroller General from the Tariff and Trade Department.”

Maiwada stressed that the elevated unit would be headed by an Assistant Comptroller General.
The move, according to him, will ensure stronger oversight, increased efficiency, and alignment with the service’s commitment to excellence in operational standards.

“To safeguard operational continuity and preserve the wealth of institutional knowledge amid the retirement of numerous senior officers, a 12-month service extension has been granted to selected distinguished senior officers representing the six geopolitical zones of the federation,” he said.

He said that the extension of service for these officers, ratified by the board, follows the presidential approval for the measure meant to address the current high rate of NCS management turnover.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, on behalf of the NCSB, congratulated all newly appointed, promoted, and retained officers.

Adeniyi urged them to uphold the service’s core mandates and pursue excellence.

The CGC also reaffirms the service’s commitment to fostering a motivated workforce with assured career progression and a steadfast focus on excellence.