Customs, WCO collaborate on gender diversity

In a bid to ensure gender diversity, the Nigeria Customs Service, in partnership with the World Customs Organisation, has launched a workshop on gender diversity.

In a statement on Tuesday, the National Public Relations Officer of the service, Abdullahi Maiwada, added that the event, which took place in Abuja, kicked off on Monday.

Maiwada reaffirmed the commitment of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, to create a work environment “where every officer is empowered to thrive, regardless of gender”.

He added that the workshop was officially declared open by the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs for Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, who was represented by the NCS’s National Contact Point, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Zara Musa.

Niagwan underscored the workshop’s importance in fostering a workplace that offered every officer equal opportunities for growth and success.

“This workshop will pave the way for officers to contribute fully to the service’s success, regardless of gender. CGC Adeniyi remains committed to nurturing a gender-inclusive environment within the NCS,” she said.

According to Niagwan, the workshop follows a previous capacity-building session hosted by the NCS in April on gender inclusivity at Wells Carlston Apartments in Abuja.

She stated that the initiative formed a series of efforts under the CGC’s tenure aimed at advancing gender equality across the service, promoting a culture where diverse perspectives contribute to enhanced Customs operations.

Earlier, a resource person with the WCO, Jennifer Burs, from Botswana, highlighted the strategic impact of gender inclusivity on service delivery.

“We are committed to supporting the NCS in finalising the draft action plan on gender equality and diversity, which was developed following the sub-regional workshop organised in April,” she said.

Burs noted that the implementation of this action plan would be instrumental in embedding diversity within the service’s operations.

Additional experts included Sendra Chihaka from Zimbabwe and Johanna Tornstrom, both of whom contributed insights on strategies for fostering a workplace culture that values and supports the contributions of all officers.