The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to strengthening its long-standing relationship with Yakubu Gowon University, formerly the University of Abuja, with renewed efforts focused on education, research, infrastructure and student development.
Adeniyi made the pledge on Tuesday, 5 May 2026, at the Customs Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, while hosting the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Hakeem Fawehinmi, alongside members of the institution’s principal management team during a courtesy visit.
Speaking during the meeting, the Customs boss recalled the history of collaboration between both institutions, revealing that previous attempts had been made to formalise the relationship through a Memorandum of Understanding.
“I have a long institutional history with this university. During my time as Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, we made serious efforts to establish a formal partnership through an MoU. We got close to signing it, but changes in leadership on both sides stalled the process,” he said.
Despite the setback, Adeniyi noted that the Nigeria Customs Service had continued to support the university through strategic interventions over the years.
According to him, the Service provided transportation support, including a 32-seater bus, and also established a fully equipped computer centre with nearly 100 workstations to enhance learning and digital access.
“These interventions were deliberate efforts aimed at building sustainable institutional partnerships,” the Comptroller-General stated.
He assured the university management that the Service would review the new areas of collaboration proposed during the visit, stressing that projects with direct and meaningful impact on students and the institution would be prioritised.
“For us, beyond legacy, impact is what truly matters. We understand the challenges facing Nigerian universities, including transportation and infrastructure deficits. Our goal is to support initiatives that will improve the learning environment and positively affect students,” Adeniyi said.
He further disclosed that the Service was open to adopting a phased implementation approach where necessary, especially if multiple projects are involved.
“If all the projects cannot be executed at once, we can begin with priority areas that will make the greatest difference,” he added.
Adeniyi also stressed the need for a university in the Federal Capital Territory that reflects Abuja’s national status and identity, pledging his readiness to work closely with the institution toward achieving that vision.
Earlier, Vice-Chancellor Professor Hakeem Fawehinmi praised the leadership of the Comptroller-General and the role of the Nigeria Customs Service in supporting national development and the Federal Government’s economic reforms.
“We have come with the university’s highest leadership to appreciate the remarkable work the Nigeria Customs Service is doing under your leadership,” Fawehinmi said.
He explained that the visit was also aimed at exploring strategic partnerships that could help the university address its growing operational and infrastructural needs, noting that the institution currently has an undergraduate population of nearly 40,000 students.
“As the only conventional public university in the Federal Capital Territory, we carry enormous responsibilities. Support in areas such as transportation, ICT infrastructure, research facilities and professional collaboration will greatly strengthen our capacity,” he noted.
The Vice-Chancellor also identified the university’s Centre for Defence and Migration Studies as a possible area of collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service, particularly in border management, migration studies, executive training and national security research.
“The real beneficiaries of this partnership will be young Nigerians who are the future leaders of the country,” he added.
