Marking the end of 35 years of dedicated service to safeguarding Nigeria's borders, seven senior officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officially retired on Thursday, September 24, 2026. The milestone was celebrated during a ceremony at the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone 'A' Headquarters in Ikeja.
The retiring Zonal Coordinator, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs (ACG) Mohammed Babandede, led the ceremony. Also retiring were Comptroller Gambo Aliyu FOU Zone 'A'; Comptroller Hauwa Abubakar, Customs Area Controller (CAC) Lagos Free Trade Zone Command; Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, CAC Western Marine Command; Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, CAC Apapa Area Command; Comptroller Olushola Akingbade, CAC Ogun II Area Command; and Comptroller Chidi Nwokori, CAC Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command.
ACG Babandede thanked colleagues, friends and family for their support throughout his career, reflecting on a tenure marked by both challenge and accomplishment. "After 35 years in the Nigeria Customs Service, I have every reason to thank Almighty Allah. We entered with two legs and we are exiting with two legs. Some were not that lucky. This journey has been a long one, with many ups and downs, but we have successfully come through it," he said.
With careers spanning three and a half decades, the officers have now hung up their uniforms, closing the book on an era that helped define the Service's frontline enforcement.
Babandede described the NCS as his family, insisting his retirement should not be seen as a complete departure from the institution. "Customs is my family. I cannot be out of Customs because this is the job I know. I have no other job apart from Customs. So, do not see me exiting as going away from my family; Customs will always remain my constituency," he said.
Also speaking at the ceremony, CAC Chidi Nwokori reflected on the significance of retirement and urged officers to treat people with respect, noting that every position and responsibility has a beginning and an end. Colleagues, friends and family commended Babandede's leadership, professionalism, and his commitment and dedication to the Nigeria Customs Service.
A highpoint of the ceremony was the presentation of gifts to the retiring officers and the cutting of the retirement cake, as colleagues, friends and family gathered to celebrate the retirees and mark the end of their active service with the NCS.
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