Listen to story here
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has secured global recognition after its flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, Customs Cares, won the Commonwealth Environment and CSR Gold Award, reinforcing the Service’s growing reputation for combining revenue generation, trade facilitation and border security with sustainable community development.
The award, presented in Glasgow, Scotland, recognises organisations delivering measurable, sustainable and community-driven projects aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Customs Cares was honoured for its impact in education, healthcare, food security and environmental sustainability across Nigeria.
Receiving the award on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection, DCG Timi Bomodi, described the recognition as a landmark in the Service’s transformation.
“This award is both humbling and inspiring. It affirms our belief that public institutions create their greatest value not only by fulfilling their statutory mandates but by improving lives and strengthening the communities they serve,” he said.
Adeniyi attributed the achievement to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that Customs Cares has impacted more than 10 million Nigerians across 12 states and the Federal Capital Territory through school renovations, healthcare projects, clean water schemes, food support and the Green Borders Initiative.
“Beyond every classroom renovated, every borehole commissioned and every tree planted is something even more enduring-trust,” he said.
Governor Muthomi Njuki of Kenya’s Tharaka Nithi County highlighted the importance of global collaboration in tackling climate challenges, stressing that accountability, innovation and partnerships are essential for a greener and more prosperous future.
The Comptroller in charge of CSR, Mbwiduffu Ibrahim, said the international recognition would inspire the Service to deepen its community impact.
“For a long time, we believed the impact in our communities was reward enough. This recognition confirms those efforts are making a difference globally,” she said.
According to the organisers, the NCS earned the award for its innovative Hub-and-Spoke Community Activation Model, further strengthening its reputation as a modern Customs administration driving revenue growth, trade facilitation, border security and sustainable development.
