Abuja, Nigeria – July 2025 — In a bid to enhance the welfare and mental well-being of its personnel, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has partnered with the African Health Foundation for Gender Empowerment (AHFGE) to promote work–life balance and improve the quality of life of officers and their families.
This initiative was unveiled during a wellness and awareness seminar held at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja, where key stakeholders, medical professionals, and representatives of AHFGE engaged Customs officers on the importance of maintaining mental and emotional wellness, particularly in high-pressure security environments.
Speaking at the event, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to strengthening human capital by prioritizing personnel welfare. He emphasized that productivity is deeply linked to emotional stability and healthy living.
“For the Nigeria Customs Service to deliver on its strategic mandate, we must invest in the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of our workforce. A balanced officer is a better officer, and this partnership with AHFGE is one of many steps towards institutionalizing a more supportive work environment,” he said.
Executive Director of AHFGE, Dr. Mariam Okoduwa, in her presentation, encouraged officers to engage in self-care practices, maintain healthy relationships, and seek professional help when necessary. She also addressed common stressors in the line of duty and introduced coping strategies for managing work-related stress.
Topics discussed during the seminar included stress management, time management, financial wellness, preventive health care, and emotional intelligence. Participants were also offered free health checks and counseling sessions as part of the event.
The partnership with AHFGE is expected to continue with periodic wellness programs, family life education, and advocacy for workplace policies that support gender equity, emotional well-being, and holistic development.
The event concluded with testimonials from Customs officers who lauded the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful, particularly in a security agency where long hours and operational demands can take a toll on personal health and family life.
