The Nigeria Customs Service is not just retiring officers. It is losing its memory.
Two restricted circulars from HRD Department signed by Comptroller A.A. Bazuaye show 1,516 officers will exit in next two years — 825 in 2026 and 691 in 2027.
From Deputy Comptroller-General to Customs Assistant II. Including 5 DCGs and 13 ACGs who should form next management.
THE BOMBSHELL NUMBERS
Circular No. HRD/2025/048 (Sept 19, 2025) final list 825 for 2026: 5 DCGs, 13 ACGs, 61 Chief Superintendents, 285 Deputy Superintendents, 226 Superintendents, 64 Assistant Superintendents I, 53 Chief Officers. Circular HRD/2026/020 (May 26, 2026) draft 691 for 2027. It is not a purge.
It is Public Service Rule 100238: 35 years or 60 years. They entered together, exiting together.
WHY IT HAPPENED – THE 16-YEAR RECRUITMENT FAILURE
House Committee Chairman Hon. Leke Abejide explained: ‘There is a 16-year gap of non-recruitment and stagnant promotion. Officers of 41000, 42000, 43000 service numbers rose almost simultaneously and now occupy similar seniority. It created top-heavy structure.’ For 16 years Nigeria did not recruit. Same set that should stagger succession all matured at once. Governance failure.
THE CONTRADICTION AT THE TOP
President Bola Tinubu approved final six-month extension for CG Adewale Adeniyi till Feb 2027 to consolidate National Single Window and ensure orderly succession – statement by Bayo Onanuga.
But how do you ensure orderly succession when all who should succeed you are retiring? CG extended, his 5 DCGs and 13 ACGs almost gone.That is why it seems not right.
On Sept 24, 2026 at FOU Zone A Ikeja, ACG Mohammed Babandede led 6 senior officers including Comptrollers Gambo Aliyu (FOU Zone A), Hauwa Abubakar (Lagos Free Trade Zone), Patrick Ntadi (Western Marine), Emmanuel Oshoba (Apapa), Olushola Akingbade (Ogun II), Chidi Nwokori (MMIA) to bow out after 35 years. Babandede: ‘We entered with two legs and we are exiting with two legs. Customs is my family.
ENTERPRISE RISK TO NIGERIA
Customs generated over N6.1tm in 2024. 2026 target higher. With Apapa, TinCan, Lekki, PTML, Onne losing experienced controllers at once, risks:
1) Revenue Leak – new officers may lack negotiation skill, valuation loopholes.
2) Border Security – smugglers know transition is weak.
3) Single Window Collapse – NCS is lead agency, reform stalls.
4) Memory Loss – No 50Ps for AfCFTA, excise, enforcement – all in heads of retiring DCGs.
WAY OUT:
Emergency Succession Bridge – NCS Board should immediately promote qualified
Comptrollers and allow 6-month understudy before Feb 2027. Each retiring DCG/ACG must have shadow officer.
Mandatory Knowledge Transfer – No final clearance without Handover Note + 20-page SOP + video brlefing. Store In NCS e-library for next generation.
Fast-Track Middle Cadre – 285 Deputy Superintendents and 226 Superintendents retiring are engine room. Accelerate 2022-2024 graduates from Customs Training College Ikeja after competency exam.
Lateral Entry of Experts – For ICT, Single Window, Valuation, hire 100 external specialists – freight forwarders, licensed agents, IT experts – on 3-year contract.
Legislative Staggering – Amend NCS Act 2023 to prevent more than 20 percent of management retiring same year. Introduce staggered tenure and 60 percent strength rule.
