My tenure extension by Tinubu tough call

…Unveils Customs reputation management handbook

By Godwin Tsa, Abuja

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has described the one-year extension of his tenure by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a profound gesture of trust and one that was not easily made and will not be taken for granted.

Speaking during the official unveiling of the “Reputation Management Handbook” at the Customs National Headquarters in Abuja recently, Adeniyi expressed deep appreciation to the president for what he termed a bold and motivating decision.

“I think Mr. President is fast establishing a reputation for rewarding hard work. I tell you, there is a reward for hard work, as demonstrated by the president with the Super Falcons, and he has shown it again with the Tigres

“And it is on this note that I also want to thank Mr. President for the service extension granted to my tenure. I know as a fact that it was not an easy decision, but it is a motivation and inspiration to do more”, Adeniyi stated.

The CGC emphasised that the extension represents not just a personal milestone but also a renewed call to elevate the Service’s performance in line with national objectives.

At the same event, Adeniyi formally launched the Reputation Management Handbook, a comprehensive guide developed to promote ethical conduct, professionalism, and a positive public image within the Nigeria Customs Service.

He explained that the handbook would serve as a critical tool in aligning officers’ behaviour with the Service’s core values and improving its relationship with the public.

“It is important that we awaken the responsibility of every Customs officer to the fact that they are the number one reputation managers of the Service wherever they go.

“This handbook will help guide their conduct, reinforce the importance of ethics, and shape public perception of the agency”, he noted.

Adeniyi added that the launch aligns with the national campaign led by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to rebrand Nigeria and promote positive narratives about the country.

He praised the NIPR’s efforts and pledged Customs’ support in mobilising other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to take part in the initiative.

“This is a timely intervention. It marks the beginning of a new phase in the Service, one that goes beyond our traditional mandates of revenue collection and anti-smuggling to now include a conscious effort at institutional branding and reputation management”, he said.

Representing the President of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku, at the event, Professor Emmanuel Dandaura, Vice President of the Institute, lauded the Nigeria Customs for taking a decisive step in embedding reputation management into its operational framework.

“The unveiling of this handbook is not just symbolic; it is a practical statement that the Nigeria Customs Service does not treat reputation as a buzzword. It recognises reputation as a vital strategic asset in today’s highly competitive and scrutinised environment,” Dandaura said.

He also praised CGC Adeniyi, describing him as the embodiment of professional excellence and integrity.

“The Comptroller-General has consistently demonstrated discipline, dedication, and reform-oriented leadership. The decision to institutionalise a code of conduct under his watch reflects his deep understanding of the power of perception, credibility, and institutional integrity,” Dandaura added.

He further revealed that a recent nationwide Reputation Perception Survey conducted by NIPR showed that the Nigeria Customs Service scored impressively high in terms of public perception, particularly in how it executes its core mandates.

“This outcome is not only encouraging, it confirms that the reforms introduced under CGC Adeniyi are yielding visible results, both within the agency and in the court of public opinion.”

Dandaura assured of NIPR’s continued collaboration with the Customs Service in the national campaign to reshape Nigeria’s global image through responsible and ethical institutional behaviour.