Joyce Mmereole Okoli
In Nigeria’s rugged and often chaotic borderlands, where smuggling rings thrive and enforcement is a daily battle, one man has emerged as the gold standard for discipline, integrity, and results. Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu.
Soft-spoken but relentless, Shuaibu has carved out a reputation as one of the most effective and principled officers in the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). His leadership has turned some of the country’s toughest border posts into models of enforcement and trade facilitation.
From Frontline Officer to Trusted Reformer
Shuaibu’s career reads like a tour of duty through the most sensitive commands in the NCS. He has served with distinction in the Federal Operations Units (FOU) Zones A and C, coordinated the Customs Strike Force in Lagos, and held posts as Deputy Comptroller and Acting Controller before his appointment as Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Ogun 1 Command, Idiroko one of Nigeria’s most volatile border corridors.
Each assignment refined his approach, building a profile of a man who values action over noise and results over rhetoric.
His Winning Formula: Intelligence, Integrity, and Balance
What makes Shuaibu’s style different is the precision with which he executes his mandate.
- Smart Enforcement: He champions intelligence-driven operations rather than random raids, leading to record-breaking seizures worth ₦229.1 million in just one week shortly after assuming duty at Ogun 1 Command.
- Zero-Tolerance for Smuggling: Whether it’s illicit rice, pangolin scales, narcotics, or contraband vehicles, his commands have consistently kept smugglers on the run.
- Trade Without Trauma: Shuaibu understands that enforcement should not choke legitimate trade. By cutting checkpoints from 32 to just 5 along the Idiroko axis, he has balanced security with smooth cross-border commerce.
- Community-First Policing: His outreach to traditional rulers, youth leaders, and local stakeholders has transformed border policing from confrontation to cooperation.
Delivering Results That Speak for Themselves
Shuaibu’s tenure has produced tangible outcomes:
- Revenue Boom: Over ₦30 million in revenue was generated in October 2023 alone, a sharp increase from previous years.
- Improved Officer Welfare: Upgraded medical facilities, provision of uniforms, establishment of trailer parks and examination bays have created a more conducive work environment.
- Safety Record: Enforcement operations under his watch recorded zero casualties, proof of disciplined, professional engagement.
- National Recognition: Honored by the Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN) as “Personality of the Week” for his accountability and anti-smuggling zeal.
Challenges Don’t Deter Him
Running Ogun 1 Command is no easy task. The border is porous, smugglers are organized, and resources are often stretched thin. But Shuaibu’s leadership has shown that creativity, collaboration with security agencies, and officer motivation can overcome these obstacles.
Beyond Seizures: Building a Lasting Legacy
Shuaibu is not just focused on intercepting contraband, he is working to build an institution. His emphasis on transparency, officer welfare, and technology-driven operations is laying the groundwork for a more modern, credible Customs Service.
The Road Ahead
As ACG, Shuaibu is now positioned to scale his impact nationwide. His priorities likely include boosting intelligence capabilities, deepening inter-agency cooperation, protecting officers on the frontlines, and further simplifying legitimate trade processes.
If his record is any guide, the reforms he champions could become the new benchmark for border enforcement in Nigeria.
In an era where compromise is common and enforcement can be politicized, ACG Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu stands out as a rare figure, a reformer who blends toughness with fairness, and whose actions continue to raise the bar for what the Nigeria Customs Service can achieve.