Customs Cares": CGC Adeniyi Commissions Renovated Ajegunle School, Igniting Hope for 50,000 Students

In a vibrant celebration of community and commitment, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday, 17 July 2025, commissioned the newly renovated Christ Assembly Nursery and Primary School in Ajegunle, Lagos. The event marked a significant milestone in the Service’s growing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) portfolio, under its transformative "Customs Cares" initiative.

Led by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the ceremony drew together a distinguished group of stakeholders: traditional rulers, government officials, education leaders, and community members—all united in one purpose: supporting the future of Nigerian children through quality education.

Standing before a crowd of beaming pupils, proud parents, and community leaders, CGC Adeniyi described the project as “a symbol of renewed hope” and “a deliberate investment in the nation’s future.”

“We are happy that our intervention has provided a better learning environment for all our students,” he said. “More importantly, we are happy that our intervention has ignited a renewed hope that under President Bola Tinubu, our children can learn in a good environment and aspire to be the best they can in their careers

The Ajegunle school renovation is just one piece of a much larger vision. Through the Customs Cares program, the NCS aims to directly support 50,000 students nationwide in 2025, distributing essential learning materials including uniforms, shoes, raincoats, and school bags. Already, 10,000 pupils have benefited, with 3,000 in Lagos State alone. At Thursday’s event, another 2,000 children received school supplies.

The initiative reflects a broader agenda that extends beyond education. According to CGC Adeniyi, Customs Cares is also focusing on health care, creative industry support, access to clean water, and ICT development areas tightly aligned with Nigeria’s national development goals.

“What we are doing is to recognise that all our communities where we serve have remained a strong pillar of support for us,” he said. “And in reciprocating this support, we will discharge the obligations I have discussed.”

From the outset, the event resonated with unity and purpose. Assistant Comptroller-General Charles Orbih, Zonal Coordinator for Zone A, emphasized the importance of leadership through community engagement.

 “Our position as the foremost zone places upon us the responsibility to pioneer impactful community engagement that others can emulate,” he said.

The CSR Unit’s head, Comptroller Patience Ibrahim, echoed this sentiment, underlining the service’s deepening connection to the people it serves.

“This gathering reaffirms our enduring commitment to building a stronger relationship with the communities in which we operate.”

For Comptroller Frank Onyeka, Controller of the Host Customs Area, the project’s success also reflects the strength of partnerships and shared responsibility.

The Headmistress of the school, Esther Ogunfuyi, delivered heartfelt thanks on behalf of the school.

“It is a reflection of your belief in the potential of our pupils, your commitment to quality education, and your desire to make a lasting difference,” she said.

The event was capped off with colorful cultural performances from the school’s pupils, offering a joyful reminder of the vibrancy and resilience of the Ajegunle community. The formal presentation of educational materials and the unveiling of the newly renovated school brought the day to a fulfilling close.

As Customs continues to expand its footprint of impact, the message is clear: when institutions invest in people, especially children, the return is not just in numbers it’s in hope, potential, and a brighter national future.