From Salim Umar Ibrahim, Kano
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has commissioned renovated classroom blocks, newly constructed toilets and a solar-powered borehole at Mallam Alhassan Primary School in Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
The project, executed under the Service’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative tagged “Customs Care,” also included the distribution of over 1,800 educational materials to pupils and the donation of medical supplies to the Maigatari Health Centre.
Speaking at the ceremony in Maigatari border town, Adeniyi said the intervention underscored the Service’s commitment to community development beyond its statutory mandate of revenue generation, trade facilitation and border security.
“Today’s occasion is not just about these structures. It is about reinforcing our philosophy that institutions must not only serve through enforcement but also through compassion and community impact,” he said.
He explained that the Customs Care initiative was established as a structured and accountable framework to channel social interventions across six thematic pillars: education, healthcare, social investment, environmental sustainability, food security and support for the creative economy.
According to him, education occupies a central place in the initiative because it forms the foundation for economic growth, social stability and national cohesion.
“A child who learns in a safe and conducive environment is better positioned to become a responsible citizen and contributor to society. By investing in classroom infrastructure, we are investing in the intellectual capital of Nigeria,” he said.
The CGC said the project followed careful needs assessment and stakeholder engagement, adding that the facilities represent “opportunity, inclusion and shared responsibility” for pupils and the community.
He commended the CSR unit of the Service led by Comptroller Ibrahim and the Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘B’, Assistant Comptroller-General Umoh, for ensuring the successful execution of the project. He also appreciated the immediate past Customs Area Controller of the Kano/Jigawa Command, Dr. Abubakar Zumi (retd), for his role in facilitating the completion of the intervention before his retirement.
Adeniyi described Maigatari as one of the most peaceful border stations in the country and assured residents that the welfare of border communities remains a priority for the Service.
He further pledged that the next phase of intervention in the school would include the construction of a perimeter fence to enhance security.
“School children can only learn effectively in a secure environment. Having assessed the school premises, we will provide an adequate fence to ensure the safety of pupils and teachers,” he said.
The CGC urged the pupils to take advantage of the improved facilities and remain committed to their studies, encouraging them to aspire to leadership positions within and beyond the Customs Service.
Earlier in her remarks, the Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘B’, ACG Umoh, said the intervention comprised renovation of classroom blocks, installation of desks, construction of 16 units of ventilated improved pit latrines, development of a botanical garden and installation of a solar-powered borehole to improve water supply and hygiene.
She said the project also complemented earlier donation of medical supplies to the Maigatari Health Centre.
Umoh noted that since the formal launch of the Customs Care initiative in March 2025 in Abuja, the Service had executed similar projects across communities in the South-West and South-South regions, with gradual expansion to other parts of the country.
She explained that the CSR framework aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, adding that funding is supported through institutional collaboration and structured contributions from officers.
“Investment in educational infrastructure in a strategic border community like Maigatari transcends benevolence. It is a long-term strategy for cultivating responsible citizenship and promoting sustainable socio-economic development,” she said.
She commended the Jigawa State Government, local authorities, traditional rulers, school management and other stakeholders for their cooperation in ensuring seamless implementation of the project.