Nigeria Customs Technical & Hangar Services Holds Maiden AGM, Reaffirms Commitment to Aviation Sector Growth
…CGC Adeniyi Highlights Strategic Investments, MOFI Expresses Interest in Further Funding
The Nigeria Customs Service Technical and Hangar Services Limited (NCT&HSL) held its inaugural Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, 18 February 2025, in Abuja, marking a significant milestone in its operational journey.
The event brought together key stakeholders from the aviation, customs, and public sector logistics industries to deliberate on the company’s progress and strategic direction.
The AGM was graced by senior officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), representatives of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), and other critical stakeholders.
Discussions centred on advancing operational development and enhancing NCS’s aviation services, with a strong focus on fortifying air surveillance capabilities.
In his address, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, commended the remarkable progress made by NCT&HSL since the inauguration of its board in the previous year.
“It is evident that the company has made significant strides in this short period, surpassing its achievements in the preceding year. The company’s future prospects are even more important to us,” Adeniyi stated.
He expressed confidence in the company’s strategic investments, citing his recent visit to its hangar.
“On my way back from Ilorin yesterday, I made a quick visit to the hangar and saw how busy it was. This underscored that we are investing in the right direction,” he remarked.
Adeniyi further disclosed that MOFI had indicated a strong interest in injecting additional capital into the company, a move expected to provide fresh funding, technical expertise, and expanded networks to drive its long-term growth.
“As the majority shareholder, our expectation is that the company will continue to grow as a profit-yielding entity, providing value to our stakeholders and shareholders,” he affirmed.
The Customs Chief also highlighted the company’s commitment to learning from global best practices, revealing that a roundtable discussion had recently been convened to benchmark operations against similar government-owned enterprises.
Reassuring stakeholders of the NCS’s commitment to good governance, Adeniyi emphasised that while the company would maintain its autonomy, transparency and accountability would remain paramount.
“I assure the board and management that the Nigeria Customs Service will treat the company as an independent entity with its own autonomy. However, I must emphasise that transparency and accountability are essential,” he asserted.
The Managing Director of NCT&HSL, Capt. Kuhi Mbaya, underscored the company’s pivotal role in modernising customs operations in line with the broader vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs.
He reiterated its dedication to striking a balance between workforce competence and financial prudence.
“We are strategically employing qualified and competent staff while keeping a watchful eye on our salary overheads so that we do not overextend our financial capabilities. We have also made significant strides in legal compliance,” he stated.
On cost-saving initiatives, Mbaya disclosed that the company was implementing smarter financial strategies to manage its maintenance operations efficiently.
“Some of our maintenance equipment are very expensive, and much of it is only used occasionally. Rather than spending tens of thousands of dollars on such equipment when financial prudence is crucial, we are exploring cost-effective alternatives such as leasing or collaborating with other organisations to share resources,” he explained.
He reassured stakeholders that operational excellence and financial sustainability remained at the core of the company’s strategy.
“We continue to seek innovative ways to optimise our expenditure while maintaining the highest safety and compliance standards,” he concluded.
During the AGM’s closing session, the board approved the appointment of new auditors and reappointed directors after due deliberation.
The meeting also laid the groundwork for long-term strategic planning, including upgrading aircraft maintenance facilities, enhancing ground handling services, and expanding the Nigeria Customs Service’s fleet to strengthen customs enforcement operations.
With its sights set on operational efficiency and sectoral growth, NCT&HSL reaffirmed its commitment to contributing significantly to the development of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
