In this exclusive interview with DCG Isah Umar Gusau (Rtd.), former Deputy Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, recipient, Distinguished Public Service Award – ALM Persons of the Year, reflects on a distinguished career defined by integrity, innovation, and institutional reform. Widely respected for his contributions to intelligence-led enforcement, anti-money laundering frameworks, and inter-agency collaboration, he shares deep insights into the leadership principles that shaped his service at the highest levels of national security and border management.
From strengthening Nigeria’s intelligence architecture to playing a pivotal role in enhancing the country’s financial integrity systems, his tenure coincided with transformative milestones that continue to influence customs administration across Africa. He also highlights the importance of technology in modern border governance, the value of coordinated intelligence sharing among security agencies, and the critical need for continuous capacity development within public institutions.
READ ALSO: DCG Isah Umar Gusau (Rtd) Honoured with Distinguished Public Service Award at the 15th ALM Persons of the Year Ceremony
In this conversation, he further acknowledges the ongoing reforms led by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, whose leadership continues to advance innovation, collaboration, and modernisation within the Service.
This interview offers a compelling perspective not only on the evolution of Nigeria’s customs operations but also on the broader future of public service leadership in Africa—anchored on accountability, strategic foresight, and sustainable institutional growth.
Your distinguished career in the Nigeria Customs Service has spanned intelligence operations, revenue protection, and national security coordination. Looking back on this journey, what guiding leadership principles enabled you to consistently deliver impact across such critical areas of national governance?
Thank you very much. My journey in service has always been anchored on two fundamental pillars—personal integrity and professional competence.
At the personal level, integrity is non-negotiable. As a public servant, you must constantly distinguish between what is right and what is wrong, and have the courage to act accordingly. That moral clarity is the foundation upon which trust and credibility are built.
On the professional side, impact requires continuous capacity building and institutional strengthening. You cannot deliver results in today’s complex security environment without investing in knowledge, training, and systems improvement.
Equally important is inter-agency collaboration. No single institution can effectively secure a nation in isolation. What we emphasised was synergy—ensuring that all relevant government agencies worked in a coordinated and integrated manner.
We also strengthened risk profiling systems and intelligence-led operations, moving away from reactive enforcement to proactive intelligence gathering. Criminal networks are constantly evolving, so you must stay ahead of them through anticipation, not reaction.
Today, I am encouraged to see these principles being sustained and expanded under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, PhD, whose reform-driven agenda continues to prioritise innovation, collaboration, and institutional modernisation.
Ultimately, leadership is about doing what is right at all times and building systems that outlast you.
During your tenure as Comptroller of the Customs Intelligence Unit, you led operations that resulted in some of the largest seizures of arms, wildlife products, and illicit drugs in Nigeria’s history. What strategic reforms or intelligence frameworks did you champion to transform enforcement outcomes at that scale?
The successes recorded during that period were not accidental—they were the result of deliberate institutional reforms and strategic alignment, which officers like DCG Isah Umar Gusau (Rtd.) remained deeply committed to throughout their service.
First, I prioritised competence over convenience. We ensured that the right officers—those with the requisite expertise and discipline—were deployed to critical roles. Without capable personnel, no system can function effectively.
Second, we strengthened multi-agency and international collaboration. Issues such as arms trafficking, wildlife crime, and drug smuggling are global in nature. We worked closely with both local law enforcement agencies and international partners to share intelligence and coordinate operations.
Third, we institutionalised data-driven risk profiling and cargo intelligence systems. By analysing patterns and trends, we were able to identify high-risk consignments before they entered the country. This proactive approach significantly improved interception rates.
Additionally, we adopted intelligence-led enforcement strategies, ensuring that operations were guided by credible data rather than routine checks. This increased efficiency and reduced unnecessary disruptions to legitimate trade.
These reforms collectively strengthened Nigeria’s enforcement architecture and laid a solid foundation upon which the current leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, PhD continues to build, positioning Nigeria as a reference point in customs intelligence operations across Africa.
One of your most notable contributions was your role in strengthening Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing architecture, particularly in helping the country exit the FATF grey list. How significant was this milestone for Nigeria’s global financial credibility, and what lessons can other African countries learn?
Nigeria’s exit from the FATF grey list was a major milestone with far-reaching implications for our global financial standing.
Being on the grey list signals weaknesses in a country’s financial system and reduces investor confidence. It affects everything—from international transactions to foreign direct investment. In some cases, even basic financial instruments such as international cards face restrictions.
Exiting that list restored credibility, confidence, and trust in Nigeria’s financial ecosystem. It demonstrated that the country could meet global standards in financial transparency, intelligence sharing, and law enforcement coordination.
The key lesson for other African countries is that such achievements require strong political will, institutional coordination, and sustained commitment. This success was built on the contributions of dedicated officers, including DCG Isah Umar Gusau (Rtd.), working collaboratively across agencies.
This was not the effort of one agency—it involved collaboration across multiple institutions, including financial intelligence units, law enforcement agencies, and regulatory bodies.
Equally important is sustainability. Under the ongoing reforms led by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, PhD, there is a clear emphasis on maintaining these standards through continuous monitoring and institutional strengthening.
Your career reflects a blend of operational enforcement and institutional reform—from digitising currency declaration systems to strengthening AML/CFT frameworks. How important is technological innovation in modern border governance?
Technology is absolutely central to modern border management. Without it, you cannot effectively respond to the sophistication of today’s transnational crimes.
One of the initiatives we introduced was the automation of currency declaration systems. Previously, the process was manual—slow, inefficient, and prone to errors. We transformed it into a digital platform that allows travellers to declare funds electronically before arrival.
This innovation improved data accuracy, speed, and intelligence gathering. It also enabled us to track patterns—such as unusually frequent travel or suspicious financial movements—which can trigger further investigation.
Today, this vision aligns strongly with the reform agenda of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, PhD, whose “3-Point Agenda” of Innovation, Collaboration, and Modernisation is accelerating the Nigeria Customs Service’s transition into a fully technology-driven institution.
Beyond that, we deployed non-intrusive inspection technologies and enhanced surveillance systems to detect concealed items without disrupting legitimate trade.
Technology enables customs administrations to move from manual control to intelligent risk management, which is essential in today’s globalised economy—a philosophy that officers like DCG Isah Umar Gusau (Rtd.) have consistently championed.
Having served at the highest strategic levels of the Nigeria Customs Service, what key institutional reforms are required to strengthen customs administrations across Africa?
The foundation of any effective customs administration lies in three key areas: technology, human capacity, and standardisation.
First, African customs services must fully embrace digital transformation. Manual processes are no longer sustainable in a fast-paced global trade environment.
Second, there must be continuous capacity development. Officers must be trained not only in enforcement but also in emerging areas such as financial crimes, cyber threats, and trade facilitation.
Third, we need standardised operating procedures aligned with global best practices. This ensures consistency, transparency, and efficiency across operations.
Encouragingly, these priorities are being reinforced within Nigeria under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, PhD, whose administration is deepening institutional reforms while building on the legacy contributions of senior officers such as DCG Isah Umar Gusau (Rtd.).
When these elements are properly integrated, customs administrations can significantly improve revenue generation, trade facilitation, and national security outcomes.
Inter-Agency Collaboration and Security
Your leadership has been marked by strong collaboration with agencies such as the Defence Intelligence Agency, EFCC, and NDLEA. How critical is coordinated intelligence sharing in addressing modern security threats?
It is absolutely critical. In fact, no security agency can succeed in isolation.
Customs operates at the frontline—we are often the first point of contact at the borders. This makes intelligence sharing essential for national security.
Criminal networks do not respect institutional boundaries. They exploit gaps between agencies. Therefore, we must eliminate those gaps through coordination, trust, and real-time intelligence exchange.
We also emphasised regional collaboration, because many of these threats are transnational. Effective border security today requires a borderless intelligence approach.
This philosophy continues to define the operational direction of the Nigeria Customs Service under the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, PhD, building on the strong collaborative frameworks advanced by leaders such as DCG Isah Umar Gusau (Rtd.).
How has the home front influenced your career and leadership journey?
I have been truly blessed with a very supportive and intelligent spouse. She has been a strong pillar throughout my career.
Public service comes with immense pressure, and having someone who provides guidance, encouragement, and honest feedback is invaluable. There were moments of disagreement, of course, but those conversations often led to better decisions.
Her own achievements, including her contributions within the Customs Officers’ Wives Association, have also been remarkable. I take great pride in her accomplishments.
As a recipient of the Distinguished Public Service Award, what message would you like to share with the next generation of African public servants?
First, I must say that the recognition came as a surprise—but it also serves as a reminder that service and dedication do not go unnoticed.
To the next generation, my message is simple:
• Build your career on integrity and professionalism
• Commit to continuous self-improvement
• Be patient, resilient, and consistent
Do not just occupy positions—add value. Leave every institution better than you met it.
Public service is a privilege. Use it to make a meaningful difference, no matter how small it may seem.
As demonstrated by leaders such as DCG Isah Umar Gusau (Rtd.) and sustained under the forward-looking leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, PhD, excellence in public service is both a responsibility and a legacy.
In the end, it is your character, contribution, and impact that will define your legacy.
