The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, has pledged to deepen the long-standing partnership between the Service and Yakubu Gowon University through renewed support for education, research, and student development.
Adeniyi made the pledge on Tuesday at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja while receiving the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Hakeem Fawehinmi, and other principal officers during a courtesy visit.
The Customs boss recalled efforts made during his tenure as Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College to formalise a partnership between both institutions through a Memorandum of Understanding.
“I have a long institutional history with this university. We went very far in the process and were close to signing, but leadership changes on both sides affected the process,” Adeniyi said.
He noted that despite the delay in formalising the agreement, the Nigeria Customs Service had continued to support the university through various interventions, including the donation of a 32-seater bus and the establishment of a computer centre equipped with nearly 100 workstations.
“These were deliberate efforts aimed at building lasting institutional partnerships,” he stated.
Adeniyi assured the university management that the Service would consider new proposals for collaboration, especially projects capable of making meaningful impact on students and the learning environment.
“For us, beyond legacy, what matters most is impact. We understand the realities facing Nigerian universities, from transportation challenges to infrastructure gaps,” he said.
He added that the Service was willing to adopt a phased approach in executing projects where necessary, focusing on priority areas with the greatest benefit.
The Comptroller-General also stressed the importance of strengthening the capacity of the only conventional public university in the Federal Capital Territory.
“It is important for us to have a university in Abuja that truly reflects the status of Nigeria’s capital. I am willing to work with you in that regard,” he added.
Earlier, Fawehinmi commended the leadership of the Customs Service and its contributions to national development, describing the agency as a critical institution supporting the Federal Government’s reform agenda.
“We have come with the highest level of leadership of the university to congratulate you and appreciate the tremendous work being done by the Nigeria Customs Service under your leadership,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor noted that the university, with an undergraduate population of nearly 40,000 students, faces increasing operational and infrastructural demands.
According to him, support in areas such as transportation, ICT infrastructure, research facilities, and professional collaboration would significantly enhance the institution’s capacity.
Fawehinmi also identified the university’s Centre for Defence and Migration Studies as a potential area of collaboration with the Customs Service, particularly in border management, migration studies, executive training, and national security research.
“The real beneficiaries of such collaboration will be young Nigerians who represent the future leadership of this country,” he said.
