SEREC Urges Integrity and Professionalism in Nigeria Customs Succession

BY FUNMI ALUKO

As the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) prepares for a major generational transition with the retirement of several senior officers in 2026, the Sea Empowerment and Research Center (SEREC) has called for a balanced approach to leadership succession that goes beyond digital competence.

In a statement signed by its Head of Research, Fwdr Eugene Nweke, SEREC acknowledged the importance of digital transformation in modern customs administration but stressed that leadership must be anchored on integrity, professionalism, and institutional governance.

“Modern Customs administrations across the world require officers who possess not only competence in digital trade facilitation tools, automated customs systems, risk management platforms and National Single Window operations, but also deep professional knowledge of customs law, valuation, tariff administration, enforcement, trade facilitation, stakeholder engagement and institutional governance,” the bulletin noted.

Referencing the Revised Arusha Declaration on Customs Integrity, SEREC emphasized that transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct remain the global benchmarks for customs professionalism. The organization warned that the future strength of the NCS will not be determined merely by the rise of digitally savvy officers, but by leaders who combine technological skills with discipline, patriotism, and institutional memory.

As the Service approaches this critical transition, SEREC urged that merit, competence, and proven performance should guide leadership selection. It also highlighted the need for robust knowledge-transfer mechanisms to preserve institutional experience and ensure continuity in service delivery.

“The future Customs officer must not only be technology-driven; he or she must also be guided by the enduring principles of integrity, professionalism and national service as enshrined in the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and the international standards governing Customs administrations,” the statement added.

SEREC expressed optimism that with deliberate succession planning, ethical leadership, and continuous professional development, the Nigeria Customs Service will successfully navigate the transition and emerge stronger, more transparent, and more efficient in fulfilling its statutory mandate.