The newly appointed Customs Area Controller in charge of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja, Mr. Aliyu Gambo, has said his administration will prioritise attitudinal reorientation over mere policy declarations.
Mr. Gambo stated this while unveiling a reform-driven leadership agenda anchored on a three-point framework of change management, compliance management, and reputational management.
He explained that his focus would be on institutionalising accountability through a motivated workforce, transparency, and professionalism, while pursuing operational excellence in line with the mission, vision, and leadership philosophy of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi.
According to him, the current Customs leadership places strong emphasis on meritocracy and competence-based human resource management within the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
Mr. Gambo stressed that sustainable reform begins with a change in mindset, noting that officers must internalise professionalism, discipline, and service-oriented values, while stakeholders must understand that Customs operations are guided strictly by national interest and the rule of law.
The Customs Area Controller said the command would adopt a “carrot and stick” approach, rewarding compliance while decisively sanctioning infractions.
He, however, warned smugglers operating across land borders and Nigeria’s waterways to desist from illegal activities, stressing that there would be no safe routes or hiding places for offenders.
Written by Iyeh Enema