The Controller in charge of Kano/Jigawa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Compt. Dalhatu Abubakar cln, PhD has emerged Best Comptroller of Customs for the year 2025.
He won the award during the recent 2025 Controller General of Customs’ (CGS) Annual Conference and Dinner Night which took place at the nation’s Capital, Abuja.
During a glamorous event on Saturday night in Kano, imports, exports and excise stakeholders forum, government officials, representatives of sister agencies, family members and other well wishers poured encomiums on Dalhatu and the command for the remarkable feat.
The command clinched four notable awards during the conference which include; Best Customs Controller, Most Improved Revenue (Imports), Most Outstanding Command in Anti-Money Laundering Activities and Most Outstanding Command in Community Relations.
The Chairman of the Occasion, Alh. Sani Utai (Sa’in Fika) described Dalhatu as an officer per-excellence, a dedication and humble customs personnel who has transformed the command in a short while.
He came with a zeal we have never seen before and today, he has made us compliant to customs procedures – Hon. Ahmed Rabiu
He applauded him and other officers of the command for the unprecedented achievements while urging them to sustain the tempo and even further improve on the existing cordial-working relationship between the command and the business community.
“These accolades are not merely awards. They represent the hard work, dedication and integrity of a man that has embraced his mission to serve our nation with distinction.
“He assumed leadership at a time the command was facing multitude challenges including significant revenue leakages, infractions and various petitions.
“Against all Odds, through his unwavering resolve, he succeeded to improve trade facilitation, provide a level playing ground for all and blocked leakages for revenue collection.
“These awards are testament to his dedication, selfless service and prove of our societal values of accountability, transparency and ethical leadership.
“These high standards are worthy of emulation for other officers, and our business community are encouraged to improve ways of doing businesses and comply with standard measures for the success of all”, he stated.
The Awardee, Dalhatu Abubakar said the CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, while assigning him as the Area Controller of Kano/Jigawa tasked him with three mantras; consolidation, innovation and collaboration with an emphasy to take it to the later.
You have made us proud. You have achieved a lot both in the Service and personally – Muhammad Dalhatu
– Eldest brother
“I am happy today, every customs officer irrespective of your rank, you can stand tall and proud today in Kano/Jigawa haven restored the trust between us and the business communities as well as the people of the states.
“We have enlightened, sensitized, innovated and modernized customs processes and procedures in Kano, bearing in mind the task of the CGC as the driving force.
“When I came onboard, nobody believed we were going to succeed but alhamdulillah, here I stand today being celebrated by our stakeholders who organized this event with their hard earned money in appreciation of our policies.
“Under my watch, we established a structure with officers even more dedicated, committed and intelligent than myself. It was this structure that led to this success.
“I didn’t work alone, I assure you that this structure remains even as I retire from service comes 1st January, 2026.
Abubakar urged the business communities to further key into Customs evolving processes stating that “Modernization in customs have come to stay and the old way of doing things have gone and will never come back”.
However, he warned that he will spare no smuggler caught in the illegal business even as he is about to live office.
“To the smugglers, let me warn you, if I catch you even within the remaining days of my stay in office, I will arrest you, forfeit your goods to the Federal Government of Nigeria and ensure you go to jail”.
He charged young officers to remain committed to the Job, expressing confidence they can do even better that what they have done.