Customs Chief Lauds Medical Corps as Pillars of National Health

Medical Corps of Nigeria Customs Services , in a bold affirmation of the link between national security and healthcare, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has hailed the Customs Medical Corps as “a critical pillar” in sustaining the health, dignity, and operational readiness of personnel and citizens alike.

Speaking through Deputy Comptroller-General Greg Itotoh, the CGC addressed participants of the NCS Medical Retreat Week held in Osogbo on May 27, 2025. The weeklong initiative, which concluded with a large-scale medical outreach in Modakeke Town, reaffirmed the Corps’ role in advancing both internal welfare and national health equity.

“Our Medical Corps does more than treat illness; they build resilience, restore dignity, and strengthen the foundation of national security,” Adeniyi declared, highlighting the multifaceted value of the Corps beyond the barracks and borders.

Nigeria Customs Service medical personnel attending to residents during the Modakeke outreach, part of the
Service’s ongoing Customs Cares Programme.

A Vision of Health with National Reach

The retreat drew the participation of healthcare experts, Customs officers, traditional rulers, and government officials, including Governor Ademola Adeleke, who was represented by Dr. Isiaka Adekunle, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health.

In a gesture that underscored institutional vision, CGC Adeniyi unveiled transformative initiatives including:

• The establishment of a flagship Customs Hospital in Karu, Abuja
• A nationwide network of zonal clinics
• An expansion of the Customs Cares programme, which has already touched over 120,000 lives and facilitated 45 portable water projects
• Future plans to combat maternal mortality in border communities, expand mental health support, and integrate AI-driven diagnostics and electronic health records across all facilities.

Partnerships, Tradition, and Grassroots Impact

Comptroller Ethabeth Nnaji, Head of the Medical Unit, welcomed attendees and stressed the importance of the retreat as a platform for recalibrating Customs’ healthcare priorities.

“This event is about revamping our systems—from clinics to careers. We’re building a future where no Customs officer is left behind in health or service,” Nnaji said.

The retreat also forged new paths of collaboration, with Governor Adeleke applauding the Customs’ public health efforts and affirming Osun State’s readiness to support future NCS health infrastructure projects.

“Osun is a leader in primary healthcare in the Southwest. We embrace Customs’ presence here and offer our full support,” Adeleke stated through his representative.

READ ALSO: Nigeria Customs Service Flags Off 2025 Annual Medical Corps Retreat in Osogbo

Community Outreach That Heals and Honors

In a show of grassroots solidarity, the retreat culminated in a free medical outreach in Modakeke Town, where hundreds of residents accessed services ranging from general consultations to diagnostics, maternal care, and pharmaceuticals.

Earlier, a delegation of ten senior Customs Comptrollers visited the Oba of Modakeke, Olubiyi Olutoriola, represented by Chief Afolabi Julius, who commended the outreach and called for its continuity in underserved communities.

Nigeria Customs Service medical personnel attending to residents during the Modakeke outreach

Celebrating Excellence in Uniform

The retreat concluded with a Dinner Night on Friday, May 30, a vibrant affair celebrating the dedication of the Medical Corps. Officers were recognized for outstanding service, and the CGC’s vision for a healthier, more responsive Customs Service was reiterated in a night of pride and purpose.

Conclusion: Health is Security

This retreat and outreach have cemented the Customs Medical Corps as not just caregivers, but strategic assets in Nigeria’s development architecture. In their white coats and field uniforms alike, these officers are not only healing the nation—but fortifying it.

As CGC Adeniyi aptly put it, “A healthy force is a formidable force. And a nation that values the health of its guardians will remain strong and unshaken.”