The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has earned international recognition after its flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, Customs Cares, received the Commonwealth Environment and CSR Gold Award in Glasgow, Scotland.
The award, presented on Friday, recognises organisations implementing sustainable, community-focused projects that contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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The organisers said the NCS was honoured for the measurable impact of its Customs Cares initiative, particularly in education, healthcare, food security and environmental sustainability.
They noted that the programme’s innovative Hub-and-Spoke Community Activation Model distinguished it from other entries.
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Receiving the award on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection, Timi Bomodi, described the recognition as a significant milestone in the Service’s ongoing reforms.
“This award is both humbling and inspiring. It affirms our belief that public institutions create their greatest value not only by fulfilling their statutory mandates, but by improving lives and strengthening the communities they serve,” Bomodi said.
Adeniyi attributed the achievement to the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, saying the initiative has positively impacted more than 10 million Nigerians across 12 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
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According to him, the programme has delivered school renovations, healthcare interventions, clean water projects, food support and environmental initiatives under the Green Borders Initiative.
“Beyond every classroom renovated, every borehole commissioned and every tree planted is something even more enduring; trust,” the Customs boss said.
Also speaking at the event, Muthomi Njuki stressed the importance of collaboration in addressing global environmental challenges.
“No country could solve the crisis alone, but through accountability, partnership, innovation and shared responsibility, the world could become greener, safer and more prosperous,” he said.
The Comptroller in charge of Corporate Social Responsibility, Mbwiduffu Ibrahim, said the international recognition would encourage the Service to strengthen its community development efforts.
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“For a long time, we worked believing that the impact in our communities was reward enough. Today, thısinternational recognition tells us that those efforts have not gone unnoticed,” she said.
The organisers said the award reinforces the Nigeria Customs Service’s growing reputation as a modern customs administration committed not only to revenue generation, trade facilitation and border security, but also to sustainable development and community empowerment.
