Adeniyi Calls for Sports Infrastructure Upgrade as Customs Police Emerge Champions At Inter-Command Games
Kathy Kyari
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has called for the development and modernisation of sporting facilities across Customs formations to enhance the discovery and development of sporting talents among officers.
Adeniyi made the call during the 2026 Zone A Inter-Command Games at the Customs Training College, Ikeja, Lagos, where he expressed concern over the condition of the sporting facilities at the institution.
The CGC recalled that the facilities had remained largely unchanged since he underwent training at the college more than three decades ago, describing the situation as unacceptable in view of the Nigeria Customs Service’s longstanding contribution to sports development in the country.
He noted that Customs athletes had distinguished themselves in various sporting disciplines over the years, with the Service currently holding championship titles in both male and female volleyball.
According to him, Customs has also recorded significant achievements in basketball, football, athletics and beach volleyball, making investment in modern sporting infrastructure imperative.
Adeniyi disclosed that the Service was already constructing an ultra-modern sports facility at one of its barracks in Kano, while assuring that a befitting sporting complex would be incorporated into the proposed new Customs Training College.
He also advocated the revival of the inter-zonal Customs Games after all zones have concluded their respective competitions, saying the initiative would provide officers with a wider platform to develop their talents, compete and strengthen unity across the Service.
The CGC commended the Zonal Coordinator, Zone A, Assistant Comptroller-General Bapandede; the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Chidi; and other members of the committee for the successful conduct of the games.
He said the impressive participation of officers, guests and spectators demonstrated the growing enthusiasm for sports within the Service and reflected the three pillars of his administration — consolidation, collaboration and innovation.
Adeniyi urged officers to recognise that the significance of sports goes beyond winning medals and trophies, noting that the discipline, teamwork and strategic thinking developed through sporting activities were equally important to Customs operations.
He explained that effective revenue generation and enforcement activities require coordination, teamwork and clearly defined strategies, just as success in sports depends on players working together towards a common goal.
The games, which held from August 17 to September 5, 2026, at the Customs Training College, Ikeja, featured 16 teams from Customs commands across Zone A. Participants competed in football, badminton, table tennis and chess.
The football competition produced the Nigeria Customs Police Command as champions after the team defeated the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command 1–0 in the final.
The football event was among the major highlights of the games, which were organised to promote physical fitness, discipline, teamwork and camaraderie among officers.
Adeniyi also commended sister security agencies that participated in the competition, particularly the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), saying their involvement underscored the importance of inter-agency cooperation in tackling national security challenges.
He congratulated the winners and urged other participants to remain committed despite the outcome of the competition, encouraging them to prepare for future editions.
The CGC stressed that the values of sportsmanship, discipline, teamwork and perseverance acquired on the field should also be reflected in officers’ professional responsibilities and conduct.
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