ICPC urges customs officials to uphold integrity and transparency in revenue collection

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has called on officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to maintain the highest standards of integrity and accountability in their work.

In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, ICPC spokesperson Mr Okor Odey relayed the message from Resident Anti‑Corruption Commissioner for Borno and Yobe States, Mr Linus Gubbi. Gubbi delivered the charge during a sensitisation lecture and interactive session held at the Customs Command Headquarters in Maiduguri.

Gubbi said the directive was part of the commission’s broader campaign against official graft and its commitment to instilling ethical values across public institutions. He emphasized that integrity, transparency, and accountability are the cornerstones of effective public administration.

He urged public officers to consistently demonstrate professionalism and remain accountable for their actions and decisions, noting that corruption erodes institutional credibility and hampers national development. “The fight against corruption is a collective responsibility,” he said. “Officers must see themselves as ambassadors of ethical governance.”

The commissioner also called on customs personnel to adopt preventive measures against corruption and to support initiatives that promote good governance within the public sector. He added that public confidence in government institutions largely depends on the ethical conduct of their workforce.

Responding, Customs Area Comptroller Abdullahi Idris expressed appreciation for the ICPC’s timely and insightful engagement. Idris reaffirmed the NCS’s unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability in all aspects of its operations and pledged continued collaboration with the commission to advance anti‑corruption reforms and institutional strengthening.

During the event, an Assistant Chief Superintendent (ACS) in the ICPC, Abba Dzikwi, presented a paper titled “Enhancing Integrity and Accountability in Customs Operations: Promoting Transparency and Ethical Practices.” In his presentation, Dzikwi highlighted the need for transparency in customs processes, strict adherence to ethical codes, and avoidance of practices that could undermine public confidence. He encouraged officers to embrace institutional reforms that strengthen efficiency and accountability at all levels of operation.

The programme reaffirms the ICPC’s dedication to fostering a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability across public institutions in Borno and beyond. It aligns with the commission’s broader mandate to combat corruption and entrench ethical governance at all levels of public service, marking another significant step in the nation’s ongoing anti‑corruption crusade.

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