CGC Adewale Adeniyi, ‘MFR’
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned the newly completed office complex of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Iperu, Ogun State—marking a major step in the agency’s ongoing infrastructure expansion drive.
Speaking shortly after the ceremony, Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, revealed that the ambitious project was originally estimated at N73 billion. However, shifting economic realities, particularly inflation, have significantly altered the cost projections.
According to Adeniyi, only about 45 percent of the total project has been completed, prompting the Service to seek presidential approval for a cost review to ensure its timely delivery.
“This project was conceived within the range of N73 billion, but developments over time have made it necessary to revisit the initial estimates,” he said, expressing optimism that the required approval would enable completion within the current administration’s tenure.
The new complex represents a strategic shift from the Service’s long-standing base in Ikeja, Lagos, which has become inadequate due to years of operational growth. Adeniyi noted that the expansion of the Customs’ core mandates—revenue generation, trade facilitation, and enforcement—necessitated a more spacious and modern operational hub.
“What used to be sufficient over three decades ago can no longer support the scale and complexity of our operations today,” he explained, emphasizing the need for improved working conditions and enhanced logistics infrastructure.
Spanning over 50 hectares, the facility was secured with the support of Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, whose intervention Adeniyi described as instrumental to the project’s realization. He also acknowledged the contributions of his predecessor, who initiated the development.
The Iperu complex is already equipped for immediate use, with officers expected to commence operations without delay. It features modern installations, including a state-of-the-art armory, and is strategically located near a warehouse facility designed to complement existing storage infrastructure around the Lagos aviation corridor.
On broader operational readiness, Adeniyi confirmed that the Service has also established a presence at the Ogun State airport, with personnel deployed to both terminal and cargo operations—further strengthening Customs’ capacity to support expanding trade networks.
As the Service pushes to complete the remaining phases of the project, the new FOU Zone A headquarters stands as a symbol of its evolving role in Nigeria’s economic architecture—balancing enforcement with efficiency, and growth with modernization.
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2026-04-02