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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to youth development, grassroots sports promotion and community engagement with the official opening of the 2026 Wale Adeniyi Secondary School Sports Competition in Lagos, promising sponsorship and career development opportunities for outstanding young athletes.
The week-long championship was declared open by the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs and Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘A’, Mohammed Babandede, at the Wale Adeniyi Sports Arena, Western Marine Command, Ibafon, Lagos.
Speaking at the ceremony, Babandede described the competition as a reflection of the visionary leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, whose Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda has repositioned the Nigeria Customs Service as a driver of community development through its Customs Cares initiative.
According to him, the championship goes beyond sports, serving as a platform to identify and nurture young talents while promoting discipline, teamwork, healthy living and leadership among secondary school students.
Middle Asst Comptroller-General ACG Babandede represented by CGC Adeniyi, Baale ,Western Marine Command Area Comptroller CAC Ntadi, Apapa Port Command Area Comptroller CAC Oshoba represented at Adeniyi Sports Arena Western Marine Command Lagos State.
He explained that the Wale Adeniyi Sports Arena, commissioned in February 2026, was deliberately established as a community facility where young people can develop physically, mentally and socially, while strengthening the bond between the Nigeria Customs Service and its host communities.
Babandede noted that the championship, organised in collaboration with the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Ajeromi-Ifelodun Chapter, features 13 secondary schools competing in football, basketball, volleyball, chess, Scrabble and table tennis.
He further stressed that the competition aligns with the Service’s commitment to promoting work-life balance, noting that physical fitness and mental well-being are essential ingredients for improved productivity and professional excellence.
The Assistant Comptroller-General urged participants to uphold the values of discipline, unity, friendship and sportsmanship throughout the competition, adding that the relationships built during the tournament should outlive the medals and trophies.
He also commended the partnership between the Nigeria Customs Service, NAPPS, the Lagos State Ministry of Education and other stakeholders, describing it as a model for nation-building through sports and education.
In his remarks, the Customs Area Controller, Western Marine Command, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, conveyed the goodwill message of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, reaffirming the Service’s commitment to discovering and supporting exceptional sporting talents across the country.
Ntadi said the Comptroller-General was delighted by the impressive turnout and described the competition as another demonstration of the Service’s resolve to invest in Nigeria’s future through youth empowerment.
He disclosed that the Nigeria Customs Service would closely monitor the performances of participating athletes, assuring them that those who distinguish themselves through outstanding talent, discipline and commitment would receive sponsorship and career development opportunities from the Service.
According to him, the initiative is designed to promote excellence, discover emerging talents and provide promising young athletes with the platform needed to realise their full potential.
He urged all participants to give their best throughout the competition, stressing that the Service is searching for athletes capable of making Nigeria proud on national and international stages.
Quoting the Comptroller-General, Ntadi said: “We want to promote sports among our youths, take our children off the streets, and give them the opportunity to develop their talents so that, in the future, Nigeria will be proud of them.”
He assured the students that the Nigeria Customs Service would continue to identify, encourage and support outstanding young athletes, urging them to seize the opportunity to showcase their abilities and pursue excellence.
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The Area Controller concluded by wishing all participating schools a successful tournament and reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s unwavering commitment to youth development, talent discovery and community engagement through sports.
The 2026 Wale Adeniyi Secondary School Sports Competition is expected to produce exceptional young talents as the Nigeria Customs Service continues to strengthen its investment in grassroots sports development and nation-building through its Customs Cares initiative.
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