Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi, has cautioned senior officers of the service against any act of compromise, warning that such acts could tarnish their long years of service and commitment to duty.

He made this known at a strategic Leadership Training session for senior cadre officers during the ongoing Senior Customs Command and Leadership Course at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

He warned of the potential erosion of standards and institutional culture as senior officers prepare to leave the system.

He noted that the course aims to evaluate participants’ character, competence, and discipline, and that leadership reveals both strengths and weaknesses.

“At this level, your success is determined less by what you know and more by who you are,” he explained.

The CG advised the officers against personalising authority and engaging in unhealthy competition, emphasising that strong institutions rely on shared purpose and mentorship.

“The authority you wield amplifies character; it exposes strength, but it also reveals weakness. Throughout this course, you will be challenged to reflect on your judgment, discipline, values, and behaviour under pressure.

“That discomfort is deliberate, because growth does not occur in comfort zones,” he said.

According to the NCS, the training is designed to prepare officers for elevated responsibilities amid evolving operational, security, and trade facilitation challenges.

The CG described the training as a proactive measure to prepare officers for crucial leadership roles in the Service’s future, emphasising that the quality of future leadership will hinge on the decisions and mindset of those currently being trained.

The course features comprehensive sessions on key leadership skills, including authenticity, emotional intelligence, effective communication, strategic thinking, and stakeholder relationship management.

A statement by the NCS national Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, noted that participants also engaged in a leadership case study that examined and illustrated the importance of teamwork and collective responsibility.

While congratulating the participants, Adeniyi challenged the officers to justify the service’s investment in their development by translating their knowledge into impactful results.