Aliyu Takes Charge as National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind

BY FUNMI ALUKO

2nd from right, DC Aliyu, during his recent investiture as Professor of Practice

The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, has appointed Deputy Comptroller Abubakar Lucky Aliyu as the new National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, the Nigeria Customs Service’s flagship anti–petroleum-smuggling task force.

His elevation marks a strategic move by the NCS leadership to reinforce the unit with a tested, disciplined, and intellectually grounded officer. DC Aliyu succeeds Assistant Comptroller General I.K. Oladeji, who has been redeployed to the Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation (E I & I) Department at the Service’s Headquarters.

Until his new appointment, Aliyu served as the Deputy National Coordinator of the same operation, bringing to the role a deep well of operational insight and field experience.

A distinguished customs officer and an expert in counterterrorism and insurgency studies, Aliyu’s professional journey spans academia, enforcement, and public administration. His commitment to continuous learning was further underscored Friday, December 12, 2025 as he was conferred with the title of a Professor of Practice by the Omniversity Imperial College, headquartered in Missouri, USA.

During his investiture, Aliyu delivered a thought-provoking reflection on the underlying drivers of smuggling, terrorism, and insurgency in Nigeria. He identified the proliferation of illicit drugs as a major catalyst for youth involvement in criminal networks, stressing the need for meaningful engagement and economic empowerment as antidotes to insecurity.

He emphasized that smuggling remains a grave threat to national development, undermining local industries while enriching foreign economies. Reaffirming his oath of service, the new National Coordinator pledged to intensify efforts to curb smuggling to its barest minimum, noting that Nigeria’s economic advancement and foreign exchange stability depend significantly on safeguarding its borders.

The management of Omniversity Imperial College explained that the Professor of Practice award is designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application. The institution’s Lagos President, Prof. Akeredolu-Ale, lamented the growing disconnect between academic titles and practical competence, insisting that “practice is the missing link” in modern education.

Prof (DC) delivering a lecture after his investiture

Former Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, echoed this sentiment, calling for a curriculum overhaul to meet contemporary global challenges. “You cannot use equipment from World War I to fight modern battles,” he noted, urging institutions to embrace innovation-driven learning.

Representing the Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Ibidapo-Obe, he highlighted the state’s strategic plan to drive an education and economic revolution through skill-based learning.

The well-attended ceremony brought together thought leaders, policymakers, and industry experts, all united in their call for a more practice-oriented educational system. Dr. Dakuku Peterside was also inducted as a fellow of the institution.

Maritime veteran journalist, High Chief Timothy Okorocha, left, on ground to felicitate Prof. Aliyu