Story by Dili Utomi.
“Let me begin by appreciating the Comptroller-General of Customs, and his entire Management Team, for their consistent commitment to building a professional, disciplined and globally respected Customs Service. This workshop is a clear demonstration that beyond revenue generation and enforcement, the Service places premium value on character, conduct and public perception”.
Above are some of the words of the Customs Area Controller of the Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, Comptrolller Hauwa Abubakar at the Workshop on Reputation Management organised for the benefit of the officers and men of the Command.
She had noted in her speech that reputation is one of the most valuable assets of any institution and even more so for a uniformed and enforcement agency like the Nigeria Customs Service.
“Our reputation determines the level of trust the public has in us, the confidence of stakeholders in our operations and the respect accorded to us as officers of the Service. Once damaged, reputation is difficult to restore; however, when carefully nurtured, it becomes a powerful tool for effectiveness and legitimacy”.
Comptroller Abubakar noted that in today’s operational environment characterised by heightened public scrutiny, instant information sharing and the influence of social media, whether on duty or off duty, conducts, utterances, decisions and interactions with stakeholders all contribute to shaping the image of the Service. One careless action by an individual officer can undermine the collective efforts of thousands of diligent officers nationwide, she added.
Her words “This workshop, therefore, is not just a routine training exercise. It is a strategic intervention by Headquarters to remind us that professionalism, integrity, discipline and accountability must define our daily conduct. Reputation management is about doing the right thing at all times, in line with our oath of office, the Customs Act, and established Service regulations”.
“As officers operating within the Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, a highly strategic and sensitive command that interfaces daily with investors, Free Zone operators, international partners, sister agencies, host communities and the media, we must be particularly conscious of our actions. The confidence reposed in us by government and stakeholders is directly linked to how responsibly we discharge our duty.
She also used the opportunity presented by the occasion to announce that the Lagos Free Trade Zone Command recorded an outstanding revenue performance in the 2025 fiscal year, with a total collection of N724,389,046,103.19K, as against N359,063,111,976.00K recorded in the preceding year. This represents an impressive increase of approximately 101.74 percent.
The CAC enthused that the remarkable achievement is a clear reflection of the dedication, professionalism and commitment of officers and men of the Command.
“I sincerely commend you all for this sterling performance. However, it is important to emphasise that sustainable revenue growth is closely tied to our reputation as a disciplined, transparent and professional Service. The trust of investors, operators and stakeholders within the Free Trade Zone is earned through integrity, responsible conduct and ethical behaviour. This is why the Reputation Management Workshop is timely and critical to ensure that our impressive revenue performance is supported and sustained by a strong institutional image and public confidence”.
She encouraged all participants to approach the workshop with an open mind, seriousness and a willingness to internalise the lessons that will be shared. The CAC advises that the knowledge gained there should translate into improved attitude to duty, enhanced stakeholder relations and stricter adherence to Service ethics and professionalism.
“Let me emphasise clearly that this workshop is mandatory as directed by Headquarters, and attendance is not a favour, but a duty. Beyond attendance, however, the real value lies in applying the principles of reputation management in our daily operations. Let us be officers whose actions protect the image of the Service, not endanger it”.
In conclusion, she charged every officer to see reputation management as a personal responsibility and a collective obligation. Together, she said, let us continue to build a Lagos Free Trade Zone Command that is known not only for performance and revenue generation, but also for integrity, discipline, professionalism and respect for the rule of law.
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