The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has earned international recognition after its flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, “Customs Cares”, won the Commonwealth Environment and CSR Gold Award in Glasgow, Scotland. The award was presented on Friday, July 31, 2026, in recognition of the Service’s community development and environmental sustainability efforts.

‎The Commonwealth award honours organisations implementing measurable, sustainable and community-driven initiatives that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). According to the organisers, “Customs Cares” distinguished itself through projects in education, healthcare, food security and environmental sustainability across Nigeria.

‎Receiving the award on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection, Timi Bomodi described the recognition as a major milestone in the Service’s ongoing transformation. He said the award reflects the value of public institutions that not only fulfil their statutory responsibilities but also improve the lives of citizens and strengthen communities.

Adeniyi attributed the achievement to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that the “Customs Cares” initiative has impacted more than 10 million Nigerians across 12 states and the Federal Capital Territory. He said the programme has delivered school renovations, healthcare projects, clean water facilities, food support and the Green Borders Initiative, while helping to build public trust.

‎Also speaking at the event, the Governor of Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya, Muthomi Njuki, underscored the importance of global partnerships in addressing climate change. He said no nation can tackle the climate crisis alone, stressing that accountability, innovation and shared responsibility are essential to achieving a safer and more sustainable world.

The Comptroller in charge of Corporate Social Responsibility, Mbwiduffu Ibrahim, described the international recognition as an encouragement for the Service to expand its community-focused interventions. She said the award validates years of work carried out with the belief that improving communities is a reward in itself.

The organisers said the Nigeria Customs Service received the Gold Award for its innovative Hub-and-Spoke Community Activation Model. They added that the recognition reinforces the Service’s reputation as a modern customs administration committed to revenue generation, trade facilitation, border security and sustainable development.