By Sabiu Abdullhi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in partnership with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has held a sensitisation workshop aimed at boosting the efficiency of its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU).
The event was organised for senior management staff of Customs and took place in Abuja on August 21, 2025.Speaking at the opening, Deputy Comptroller-General Greg Itotoh, who represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the fight against corruption within the Service has been a long-standing effort.
He explained that the workshop was designed to reinforce internal checks and entrench integrity at all levels.”Having you here today demonstrates our resolve to fight corruption. Being with us further encourages us and strengthens that desire to enforce our Anti-Corruption initiatives that we have put in place,” he said.
He added that the lessons from the exercise would be passed on to other officers and would help drive better service delivery.
He further assured that Customs, working with its stakeholders, would not relent until corruption is fully eradicated.
Also speaking at the event, ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu, who was represented by Olusegun Adigun, praised the Customs leadership for prioritising accountability and ensuring that the sensitisation was held.
“Corruption remains one of the greatest impediments to national development, eroding trust, stifling economic growth and diminishing the effectiveness of governance,” he said.
He continued, “As we engage in today’s discourse, let us remember that every act of integrity contributes to a stronger, more transparent society. Let this workshop be a catalyst for a renewed commitment, innovation and proactive engagement in the fight against corruption.”
He urged Customs personnel to remain committed to ethical standards and encouraged management to sustain support for ACTU’s operations.
“Every act of integrity will help reshape society,” he added.
The workshop featured paper presentations, including “Understanding the ACTU Standing Order 2023” by an ICPC official, and “Preventive Strategies in Combating Corruption in Public Institutions” delivered by Richard Bello.
Both papers underscored the importance of preventive reforms and stronger institutional frameworks against unethical practices.
Bringing the event to a close, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, who heads the Customs Intelligence Unit, reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to working closely with ICPC.
He stressed that accountability and transparency remain central to Customs’ ongoing reforms.
“We’re deeply grateful to the ACTU for initiating and championing this Programme. Your relentless effort towards promoting accountability and good governance did not go unnoticed. Thank you for being the moral compass within our institution,” he said.