ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Nigeria Customs Service has spent over N70 billion on Corporate Social Responsibility projects across the country in under two years, its Comptroller-General, Adewale Adeniyi, has disclosed, describing the investment as part of the service’s commitment to giving back to the communities it serves.
Adeniyi made the disclosure on Monday during a media briefing in Abuja, where he presented an overview of the service’s CSR initiatives and their impact on communities nationwide. He said the projects, which span healthcare, education, infrastructure, water supply, and empowerment programmes, were funded from the service’s internally generated revenue and executed in collaboration with state governments and community stakeholders.
“When we talk about customs, people often think only about revenue generation and trade facilitation. But we are also a service that cares about the well-being of the people. In less than two years, we have invested over N70 billion in projects that are changing lives across Nigeria,” Adeniyi stated.
The Comptroller-General highlighted some of the major projects undertaken by the service, including the construction and renovation of primary healthcare centres in rural communities, the provision of medical equipment and supplies to hospitals, the drilling of boreholes and construction of water schemes, and the renovation of schools and provision of educational materials to students. He also noted that the service had provided scholarships to hundreds of students and supported skills acquisition programmes for women and youth.
“These projects are not just about infrastructure; they are about improving the quality of life for our people. A borehole in a village means that women and children no longer have to trek long distances to fetch water. A renovated school means that children can learn in a safe and conducive environment. A functional healthcare centre means that families can access medical care without travelling to distant cities,” Adeniyi said.
The Comptroller-General cited specific examples of CSR projects, including the construction of a modern clinic in Katsina State, the renovation of a school in Enugu State, the provision of solar-powered boreholes in Borno State, and the establishment of a skills acquisition centre in Lagos State. He said the service had also donated vehicles and equipment to security agencies and supported disaster relief efforts in various parts of the country.
Adeniyi explained that the NCS had adopted a transparent and community-driven approach to CSR, with projects identified through consultations with community leaders, traditional rulers, and state governments. He said the service had also established a CSR committee to oversee the selection, execution, and monitoring of projects to ensure value for money and sustainability.
“We don’t just impose projects on communities. We engage them, we listen to their needs, and we work with them to implement projects that will have the greatest impact. That is why our CSR projects are successful and well-received,” he said.
The Comptroller-General also disclosed that the service had increased its revenue generation significantly, which had enabled it to fund its CSR initiatives without recourse to the federal treasury. He said the NCS had set a target of N10 trillion in revenue for 2026 and was on track to meet the target, with improved trade facilitation, enhanced anti-smuggling operations, and the deployment of technology driving performance.
Stakeholders have commended the NCS for its CSR initiatives, describing them as a model for other government agencies. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs, Senator Isah Jibrin, praised the service for its transparency and accountability, urging it to sustain the momentum. “The Nigeria Customs Service has shown that government agencies can be agents of positive change in their communities. We commend the Comptroller-General and his team for their vision and commitment,” Jibrin said.
Community leaders whose communities have benefited from the projects also expressed gratitude to the service. The traditional ruler of a community in Katsina State, where a clinic was built, said the project had transformed healthcare delivery in the area. “Before, our people had to travel to Katsina or Kano for medical treatment. Now, we have a modern clinic right here in our community. We are grateful to the Nigeria Customs Service,” he said.
As the NCS continues to expand its CSR footprint, the Comptroller-General said the service would remain focused on projects that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians. He also urged other government agencies and private sector organisations to emulate the service’s example by investing in the well-being of their communities.
