1,300 Students Benefit From ‘Customs Cares’ CSR Initiative
… as Service sets to catalyse social development in communities
Nifemi Coker
In a landmark demonstration of collaborative national progress, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) unveiled its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, ‘Customs Cares’, on March 2, 2025 at Government Secondary School, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja.
The initiative, aimed at driving sustainable development and improving communities nationwide, was launched in the presence of key officials, including the Ministers of Finance, Education, Youth Development, and representatives from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The programme, led by Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi, seeks to address critical social, educational, and infrastructural challenges in underserved communities.
Described by Adeniyi as a long-term commitment to fostering inclusive growth and creating a meaningful impact in areas where the NCS operates, its key focus is to support educational advancement, with over 1,300 students benefiting from the programme’s first phase.
“Human capital development is fundamental to national prosperity,” CGC Adeniyi emphasised, highlighting that the initiative is not just about one-off donations but establishing sustained, impactful interventions in communities where they are most needed.
The NCS plans to adopt one school per Local Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), ensuring a tailored approach to each institution’s needs.
Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, lauded the NCS for demonstrating leadership in national development, beyond its traditional mandate of revenue generation. “The Customs Cares initiative is a game-changer. It exemplifies how government institutions can integrate social impact into their core mandate,” he stated.
In addition to education, the Customs Cares programme will focus on healthcare, social infrastructure, and economic empowerment. Plans include mobile clinics, medical outreaches, anti-malaria campaigns, water borehole projects, and skills acquisition programmes aimed at enhancing community well-being and self-reliance.
Minister of Education Olatunji Alausa commended the alignment of the initiative with President Tinubu’s vision for a reformed educational system. He also emphasised the importance of collaborating with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Nigerian Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) to ensure the programme’s success.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, praised the initiative as a model for fostering youth empowerment, aligning with the federal government’s focus on building a skilled and productive generation.
The principal of Government Secondary School, Wuse Zone 3, Josephine Ugwu, expressed gratitude for the NCS’s investment in the school’s infrastructure and the future of its students, marking the launch as a historic moment for the institution.
With its wide-reaching potential to improve education, healthcare, and social welfare, the Customs Cares initiative promises to drive lasting, transformative change across Nigeria.
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