The newly appointed Controller of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Comptroller Aliyu Gambo, has outlined a reform-focused leadership agenda built on a three-pronged framework: Change Management, Compliance Management, and Reputational Management.

Speaking during a recent interaction with journalists, Gambo said his administration will prioritise accountability by fostering a motivated workforce anchored on transparency and professionalism. He noted that his leadership approach aligns with the mission, vision, and philosophy of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, whose tenure is driven by meritocracy and competence-based human resource management within the Nigeria Customs Service.

According to Gambo, Change Management under his watch will go beyond policy pronouncements to focus on attitudinal reorientation among Customs officers, the trading public, and border communities. He stressed that sustainable reform begins with a shift in mindset, insisting that officers must internalise discipline, professionalism, and service values, while stakeholders must recognise that Customs operations are guided strictly by national interest and the rule of law.

He explained that modern Customs administration operates within a complex, post-globalisation trade environment that demands adaptability, intelligence-led enforcement, and constructive stakeholder engagement. As such, he said change must be both internal and external—reshaping behaviour while strengthening institutional culture.

On Compliance Management, the Controller underscored the importance of strict adherence to established procedures and ethical standards, tempered by a practical understanding of Nigeria’s trade realities. He made it clear that compliance is non-negotiable, noting that enforcement will be firm, fair, and intelligence-driven. FOU Zone A, he added, will deploy a “carrot and stick” approach—rewarding compliance while decisively sanctioning violations—in line with the CGC’s broader reform agenda centred on merit, competence, and fairness.

Gambo issued a strong warning to smugglers operating across land borders and waterways, cautioning that illegal activities will no longer go unchecked. “There will be no safe routes and no hiding places,” he said, adding that surveillance, patrols, and intelligence-led operations will be intensified to ensure offenders are apprehended and prosecuted, regardless of scale or route.

He also cautioned importers and clearing agents who attempt to defraud the government through under-payment, under-declaration, false declaration, or trade misinvoicing. Such practices, he said, will be detected and penalised. “Anyone who believes they can evade their obligations should rethink, because Customs will uncover these practices and recover every kobo due to the government,” he stated.

According to him, the Service is strengthening its risk assessment frameworks, post-clearance audits, and intelligence collaboration to track consignments from origin to destination, noting that distance or foreign shipping points will not shield non-compliance. While reaffirming Customs’ commitment to facilitating legitimate trade, Gambo maintained that adherence to regulations remains mandatory, stressing that “those who play by the rules have nothing to fear.”
On Reputational Management, the Controller highlighted accountability and transparency as essential to public trust, noting that the ethical leadership of the Comptroller-General has significantly improved public perception of the Service. He assured that FOU Zone A would consolidate and deepen these gains, emphasising that Customs has a social contract with Nigerians and must consistently deliver value within the trade value chain.

Beyond revenue generation and trade facilitation, Gambo drew attention to the security role of Customs, warning of the link between smuggling, illicit drugs, arms trafficking, and rising criminality. He noted that ongoing challenges such as banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping make effective border control a national security priority vital to protecting lives, the economy, and national stability.

Gambo assumes office at a pivotal moment, succeeding an outgoing leadership that recorded 761 seizures valued at over ₦10 billion, including rice, vehicles, drugs, and weapons, alongside 38 arrests and the recovery of more than ₦419 million in underpaid duties. His appointment is further strengthened by his well-known reputation for integrity, highlighted by his widely cited refusal of a $50,000 bribe.

Building on these achievements, Gambo has pledged to intensify intelligence-driven operations, deepen stakeholder collaboration, and promote welfare and professionalism within the ranks—ensuring that FOU Zone A not only sustains its anti-smuggling successes but also advances the broader objectives of the Nigeria Customs Service in economic protection, trade facilitation, and national security.