CG Adeniyi Calls For Modern Sporting Infrastructure As Customs Police WinsI Zone A Games
CG Adeniyi Calls For Modern Sporting Infrastructure As Customs Police WinsI Zone A Games
….Says Sports Build Discipline, Teamwork, and Operational Excellence*
By Success Okezie
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi*, has called for the upgrade and modernization of sporting facilities across all formations of the Nigeria Customs Service, stressing that quality infrastructure is critical to harnessing the sporting talents of officers.
CG Adeniyi made the call while declaring the *2026 Zone ‘A’ Inter-Command Games* closed. The week-long competition began on *August 17, 2026* and featured football, badminton, table tennis, and chess, drawing personnel from commands across the Southwest.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the CG commended the *Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘A’, Assistant Comptroller-General Bapandede*, the *Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Chidi, and their team for what he described as a “colourful and impressive organization” of the games.
“The large turnout of guests, vehicles, and participants here today shows the growing enthusiasm for sports within the Service,” Adeniyi said.
“This competition also reflects the three pillars of my administration Consolidation, Collaboration, and Innovation.”
The Customs boss applauded the participation of sister security agencies, particularly the *National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, describing their involvement as a strong signal of inter-agency collaboration in safeguarding national security.
However, CG Adeniyi expressed concern over the state of sporting infrastructure at the *Customs Training College, noting that the facilities had remained largely unchanged since he trained there over 30 years ago.
“This is unacceptable for a Service that has contributed immensely to sports development in Nigeria,” he stated.
He recalled that the NCS has produced champion athletes and teams, including defending champions in both male and female volleyball, as well as strong contingents in basketball, football, athletics, and beach volleyball.
To address the gap, the CG disclosed that the Service is already constructing an ultra-modern sports facility in one of its barracks in Kano*, and assured that a befitting sporting complex will also be included in the proposed new site of the Customs Training College.
Adeniyi also corrected the notion that the Zone ‘A’ games were inaugural, recalling that similar zonal competitions had been held previously in Kano and other zones.
He urged all zones to conclude their games and called for the immediate revival of the inter-zonal championship to further foster unity and competitiveness.
Beyond recreation, the CG said the games offered key lessons for officers in service delivery.
“Just as victory in sports demands discipline, teamwork, and strategy, so also do our core mandates of enforcement, revenue generation, and trade facilitation require clear strategy and coordinated effort,” he said.
He congratulated all winners and urged those who did not win to prepare for future editions, while charging officers to carry the spirit of sportsmanship into their daily duties.
One of the major highlights of the games was the football final, where the *Nigeria Customs Police Command defeated the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Command 1-0* to emerge champions.
The decisive goal came early in the first half. Despite sustained pressure from MMIA, the Customs Police held firm to lift the trophy amid wild celebrations from players and supporters.
The 2026 Zone ‘A’ Inter-Command Games were organized by the Nigeria Customs Service to promote *physical fitness, discipline, teamwork, and camaraderie among officers
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