Senior government officials have called on officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other stakeholders to strictly comply with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 to strengthen trade, secure the economy and protect Nigerian businesses.
The call was made on Tuesday in Abuja during the public presentation and launch of a new book, Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023: Historical Context, Service Reforms and Predicament of Application, authored by retired Comptroller Abdullahi Bello Gusau.
The event was held at the Ahmed Makarfi Hall, Nigeria Customs Service Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, who was the Chief Host, said the strength of the book lies in its examination of the practical difficulties involved in transitioning from a 65-year-old legal framework to a modern statutory regime.
“Laws do not enforce themselves; they are applied by people within a dynamic economic ecosystem,” Mr. Adeniyi said.
He was represented at the event by the Commander, Training and Doctrine Command, Deputy Comptroller-General Suleiman Ciroma.
“The book brilliantly captures the real-world friction of this transition, exploring operational adaptability, stakeholder alignment and jurisdictional clarity,” he added.
He urged officers and stakeholders to approach the book with an open mind, stressing that the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 was designed to protect Nigerian businesses and strengthen the national economy.
“The NCSA 2023 was not designed to punish; it was designed to protect Nigerian businesses, secure and boost the national economy,” he said.
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, described the publication as a valuable addition to the institutional memory of the Service.
He was represented by the Managing Director/Chief Executive of Acacia African Commodity Exchange, Usman Balarabe.
“The book by retired Comptroller Abdullahi Bello Gusau will contribute tremendously as the Nigeria Customs Service makes bold efforts to revolutionise our foreign trade,” Mr. Lawal said.
Chairman of the occasion and former National Security Adviser, General Aliyu Mohammed Gusau (rtd.), said the book would serve as a reference point for customs officers, professionals and other stakeholders for years to come.
He was represented by the Danmasanin Gusau, Shehu Umar Sambo.
He commended the author for bringing pride to both the Service and Zamfara State, and urged other officers to document their experiences to enrich national knowledge.
The Chief Launcher and Senator representing Zamfara West, Abdulaziz Yari, described the launch as a testimony to the author’s distinguished career.
He was represented by former Zamfara State Governor, Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi.
Senator Yari noted that the presence of dignitaries from Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Taraba, Kano, Kaduna and the FCT was evidence of the author’s wide respect within the Service.
The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, was represented by the Sarkin Burmin Jabo, Aliyu Garba.
The book was reviewed by the Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, Assistant Comptroller-General Dow Gaura.
