The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced plans to impact 10 million Nigerians through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, “Customs Cares,” focusing on education, health, environmental sustainability, food security, social investment, and the creative economy.
Speaking at the commissioning of the newly renovated Christ Assembly Nursery and Primary School in Ifelodun-Ajeromi, Lagos, Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi emphasised that Customs has a responsibility to support the communities it serves, especially those contributing significantly to national revenue.
He noted that interventions under the Customs Cares programme are carefully selected based on their anticipated impact on residents, saying:
“Before we decide, we always want to look at the impact our intervention will bring. From what we saw of this school, whatever we do here will be impactful—not only for the students but also for the environment under which they learn.”
Adeniyi told the pupils that education remains a powerful tool for transformation, encouraging them to stay focused: “Education is the roadmap to success.”
He revealed that the agency had already adopted schools in Cross River and Rivers States as part of its planned rollouts in Zones B and C, which were delayed but now progressing.
Also speaking at the event, Lagos State Commissioner for Basic Education, Hon. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, praised the NCS’s initiative, describing it as a valuable complement to the state’s ongoing efforts in the education sector.
“What Customs has done is more than renovation—it’s about ensuring sustainability and improving the quality of learning,” he said. “We are building a future for our children and our communities.”
He noted that Ifelodun-Ajeromi Local Government Area has the highest concentration of schools in the country, with 71 schools, underscoring the importance of public-private partnerships in improving learning infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the Customs Area Controller in Ogun State has tasked newly promoted officers with intensifying efforts against smuggling, highlighting the Service’s twin focus on community development and border security.
