Adeniyi Pledges Stronger Customs-Yakubu Gowon University Partnership

Adeniyi Pledges Stronger Customs-Yakubu Gowon University Partnership

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to strengthening its long-standing relationship with Yakubu Gowon University through renewed support targeted at advancing education, research, and student development.

Adeniyi made the pledge on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Hakeem Fawehinmi, and other principal officers at the Customs Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.

Speaking during the meeting, the Customs boss recalled the institution’s historical ties with the university, revealing that previous efforts had been made to formalise a partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

“I have a long institutional history with this university. During my tenure as Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, we made serious efforts to formalise a partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding. We went very far in the process and were close to signing, but leadership changes on both sides affected the process,” he said.

Despite the delay in formalising the agreement, Adeniyi noted that the Service had consistently supported the university through strategic interventions over the years.

According to him, the Nigeria Customs Service provided transportation support, including a 32-seater bus, and also established a fully equipped computer centre with nearly 100 workstations to enhance learning and digital access for students.

“These were deliberate efforts aimed at building lasting institutional partnerships,” the CGC stated.

He assured the university management that the Service would carefully consider fresh proposals for collaboration, especially projects capable of delivering direct impact on students and the institution.

“For us, beyond legacy, what matters most is impact. We understand the realities facing Nigerian universities, from transportation challenges to infrastructure gaps. Our interest is to support initiatives that will create a conducive learning environment and positively impact students,” Adeniyi added.

The Customs boss further disclosed that the Service was open to adopting a phased implementation approach where necessary to ensure priority projects receive immediate attention.

“If there are multiple projects and we are unable to execute everything at once, we can adopt a phased approach and focus on priority areas that will make the greatest difference,” he explained.

He also stressed the importance of developing a university in the Federal Capital Territory that reflects the nation’s status and identity.

“It is important for us to have a university in Abuja that truly reflects the status of Nigeria’s capital. I am willing to work with you in that regard,” he said.

Earlier, Professor Fawehinmi commended the leadership of the Comptroller-General and praised the Nigeria Customs Service for its contributions to national development and support for the Federal Government’s economic reforms.

“We have come with the highest level of leadership of the university to congratulate you and appreciate the tremendous work being done by the Nigeria Customs Service under your leadership,” the Vice-Chancellor said.

He explained that the visit was aimed at exploring strategic areas of collaboration between the university and the Customs Service, noting that the institution, which has an undergraduate population of nearly 40,000 students, faces growing infrastructural and operational challenges.

“As the only conventional public university in the Federal Capital Territory, we face enormous responsibilities. Support in areas such as mass transit buses, ICT infrastructure, research facilities, and professional collaboration will significantly strengthen our capacity,” Fawehinmi stated.

The Vice-Chancellor also identified the university’s Centre for Defence and Migration Studies as a potential platform for collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service in areas including border management, migration studies, executive training, and national security research.

“We are ready to partner with the Nigeria Customs Service. The real beneficiaries of such collaboration will be young Nigerians who represent the future leadership of this country,” he added.