In a landmark event, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) launched its ambitious “Customs Cares” Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, aimed at driving transformative change and sustainable development across Nigerian communities.
The initiative was unveiled on Thursday, 20 March 2025, at Government Secondary School, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja, where over 1,300 students benefited from the first phase of the programme.
Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi described “Customs Cares” as a strategic response to Nigeria’s critical social, educational, and infrastructural gaps.
“This initiative represents our comprehensive approach to CSR, designed to foster inclusive growth and create sustainable impact across Nigerian communities where we operate” .
The programme aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It focuses on six key pillars, starting with education, and will be rolled out in phases nationwide.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, commended the NCS for demonstrating a strong commitment to national development beyond revenue generation.
“The Customs Cares initiative is a game-changer. It exemplifies how government institutions can integrate social impact into their core mandate”.
The NCS has committed approximately 4% of its annual wage bill to finance the “Customs Cares” initiative, equivalent to 50% of each officer’s one-month salary .
This significant investment underscores the Service’s dedication to community empowerment and sustainable development.
Key Highlights of the “Customs Cares” Initiative:
Education: Prioritizing education as a fundamental pillar of national prosperity, with a focus on improving infrastructure, providing learning materials, and supporting youth development.
Healthcare: Deploying mobile clinics, conducting medical outreaches, and implementing anti-malaria campaigns to improve community health.
Social Infrastructure: Initiating water borehole projects, upgrading electricity infrastructure, and facilitating skills acquisition programmes to empower individuals and foster economic self-reliance.
Environmental Sustainability: Promoting sustainable practices and reducing environmental impact through targeted interventions.
Food Security: Supporting agricultural extension services, facilitating food donations, and improving market access for farmers to strengthen the agricultural value chain.
The launch of “Customs Cares” was attended by several distinguished personalities, including representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO), Deputy Comptrollers-General of Customs, Assistant Comptrollers-General of Customs, heads of various Customs formations, local community leaders, and other key stakeholders.
