The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) announced on Thursday that it will dedicate 4% of its annual wage bill to support its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, termed “Customs Care.”
Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi made this announcement during the launch of the program in Abuja, noting that this allocation is equivalent to 50% of each officer’s monthly salary.
“After extensive consultations with NCS management, I am pleased to confirm that the Service has committed approximately 4% of our annual wage bill—equivalent to 50% of each officer’s monthly salary—to fund this initiative,” Adeniyi stated.
The first focus of the “Customs Care” initiative is education, with its launch taking place at Government Secondary School (GSS), Wuse Zone 3, Abuja.
The Nigeria customs service educational support program includes adopting schools within its operational areas, based on thorough selection criteria and in-depth needs assessments to identify gaps and prioritize interventions in collaboration with relevant authorities.
The NCS aims to provide learning materials, rehabilitate critical infrastructure, and offer scholarships to enhance academic excellence, ensuring that no deserving student is overlooked due to financial constraints.
Having recognized security as a significant issue, the NCS has initiated the installation of CCTV cameras within the school premises. Additionally, the organization plans to install solar-powered streetlights throughout the campus.
“This flagship project at GSS Wuse Zone 3 embodies our model, where we have identified security infrastructure as a priority based on consultations with local authorities,” said Adeniyi. “In response to this need, we have commissioned the installation of CCTV cameras and solar-powered streetlights. Our technical team will also undertake the renovation of the school’s auditorium while providing learning materials to all students.”
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This initiative marks the beginning of numerous planned interventions across NCS operational areas in Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Additionally, the service intends to adopt one school in each Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), implementing tailored programs to address the specific needs and challenges of each institution.
Adeniyi emphasized, “Our choice of GSS Wuse Zone 3 to launch this CSR and adopt-a-school initiative is intentional. It reflects our historical connection as former neighbors. We feel a deep responsibility to give back to a community that has supported us during our formative years. I want to stress that these school adoptions, including GSS Wuse Zone 3, are part of our long-term commitment. We aim to make a sustained impact on these institutions, promoting sustainable development rather than offering one-time support.”
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