Nigeria Customs Targets Support for 50,000 Students in 2025 under “Customs Cares” Initiative

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program tagged “Customs Cares”, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced plans to support 50,000 Nigerian students with educational materials in 2025.

This announcement was made by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, during the commissioning of the newly renovated Christ Assembly Nursery and Primary School in Araromi, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The renovation project, undertaken by the Tincan Island Port Command in partnership with the NCS Headquarters in Abuja, has transformed the school into a more conducive learning environment for both students and teachers.

Speaking at the event, Adeniyi emphasized the Service’s commitment to educational development:

“Our target for 2025 is to directly reach out to 50,000 students across the country by providing them with educational items such as pencils, bags, biros, among others. So far, we have supported 12,000 students, including 5,000 in Lagos State. Of this number, 2,000 students received items today.”

He expressed satisfaction with the transformation of the school, noting that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The CGC reaffirmed the Service’s broader commitment to impact lives through interventions in healthcare, ICT, sports, the creative industry, and support for vulnerable populations.

“We are not in competition with any government agency. Rather, we acknowledge the communities that host our Commands and see it as our duty to give back. We will continue to collaborate with sister agencies to do even more for our people,” Adeniyi said.

He urged the pupils to take their studies seriously and to make good use of the upgraded facilities, pledging further support to the school in the future.

The Customs Area Controller of Tincan Island Command, Frank Onyeka, expressed gratitude to the CGC for the opportunity to participate in the impactful project. He also commended the stakeholders, school management, and pupils for their cooperation and commitment.

“I want to specially appreciate the headmistress, teachers, and students for their role in ensuring the project’s success,” he stated.

Also present at the ceremony was the Lagos State Commissioner of Education, Tolani Ali-Balogun, who lauded the Customs Service for its efforts. He described the intervention as a significant boost to the state’s educational initiatives.

Ali-Balogun assured that the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in Lagos would oversee proper maintenance of the facility and encouraged parents and community leaders to support the sustainability of the project.

In her remarks, the Headmistress, Mrs. Esther Ogunfuyi, described the project as a reflection of true generosity and deep concern for education.

“We are here to celebrate something truly special — the renovation and adoption of our school by the Nigeria Customs Service Tincan Island Port Command. Their support has made a meaningful impact on our school,” she said.