By ebosele@hotmail.com
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability and institutional integrity as it received a delegation from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for the annual Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard and Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) Effectiveness Index Assessment.
City Business News reports that the assessment, held at the Service Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, is aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and good governance across public institutions.
Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Headquarters, Muhammad Shuaibu, described the exercise as a critical initiative for promoting integrity, transparency, accountability and ethical conduct in the public service.
He said the assessment goes beyond evaluating institutions, providing an opportunity to strengthen governance, improve institutional performance and reinforce public confidence.
“The Nigeria Customs Service sincerely appreciates the ICPC’s efforts in promoting integrity, transparency, accountability and ethical conduct across public institutions. This assessment is not just an evaluation but an opportunity to identify areas for growth and reaffirm our dedication to continuous reform,” Shuaibu said.
He assured the ICPC delegation of the Service’s full cooperation, noting that all relevant departments had been directed to provide the necessary information and support to ensure a smooth and successful exercise.
Shuaibu reaffirmed that transparency and accountability remain fundamental values of the Nigeria Customs Service, stressing that the Service has continued to build public trust through open institutional practices and technology-driven reforms.
According to him, Customs maintains close collaboration with partner agencies, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the ICPC, in carrying out operations at the nation’s ports and border stations.
He added that the Service’s official website and communication platforms provide the public with access to its activities, policies and reforms, reflecting its commitment to openness, integrity and service excellence.
Speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the ICPC, Mrs. Udenma Chioma said the assessment is designed to evaluate the Service’s systems, policies and compliance procedures, as well as the effectiveness of its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) and adherence to the Public Service Rules.
She explained that the exercise is intended to identify strengths, address gaps and promote improved institutional performance across government agencies.
“Where institutions are doing well, we acknowledge their efforts, and where improvements are required, we provide recommendations. The objective is to strengthen compliance, accountability and institutional performance,” she said.
The annual Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard and ACTU Effectiveness Index Assessment forms part of the ICPC’s broader strategy to entrench ethical standards, promote transparency and enhance accountability across Nigeria’s public institutions.
