By Frontline Reporters
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has commended Chief Timothy Okorocha and Mr. Francis Ugwoke for chronicling the ongoing transformation of the Service and the maritime sector in their newly launched book, “Customs Operational Revolution and Maritime Development Under President Tinubu.”
Adeniyi gave the commendation at the Lagos unveiling of the publication, describing the authors’ effort as a significant contribution to institutional memory and national development. Represented by Comptroller C.C. Nwokorie, the Customs boss said proper documentation of reforms and achievements remains essential for policy continuity, accountability, and future planning.
According to him, the book captures critical milestones in the Nigeria Customs Service’s modernization drive and provides an important reference point for stakeholders seeking to understand the impact of ongoing reforms on trade facilitation, revenue generation, and maritime governance.
“Documentation is critical to institutional growth. When reforms are properly documented, future generations can learn from them, policymakers can build upon them, and stakeholders can objectively assess their impact,” Adeniyi stated.
The Customs CG noted that the Service’s remarkable growth in revenue collection and anti-smuggling operations has been driven by technology, intelligence-led enforcement, stakeholder engagement, inter-agency collaboration, and leadership reforms.
Speaking on the motivation behind the publication, co-author Chief Timothy Okorocha said the book was conceived as a deliberate effort to preserve important developments within the Customs and maritime sectors beyond daily news reports and headlines.
“We observed many important developments that deserved to be preserved beyond newspaper headlines and daily reportage. We felt strongly that there was a compelling need to document these institutional journeys as part of the enduring historical and intellectual record of our nation,” he said.
The book reviewer, retired Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Dera Nnadi, described the publication as a rich and timely work that chronicles the transformation of the Nigeria Customs Service within the broader context of maritime sector reforms. He recommended it as a valuable reference material for Customs officers, researchers, policymakers, and maritime stakeholders.
The launch attracted prominent industry leaders and stakeholders who praised the authors for their commitment to documenting reforms and achievements that have shaped the Customs Service and the maritime industry in recent years.
The event also featured discussions on the progress made since the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, with participants emphasizing the importance of sustained reforms, collaboration, and documentation in advancing Nigeria’s economic and maritime development.
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