By Ayomide Otitoju
The Nigeria Customs Service Technical and Hangar Services Limited (NCT&HSL) held its inaugural Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, bringing together stakeholders from the aviation, customs, and public sector logistics industries.
The AGM was attended by senior officials from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), and other key stakeholders. Discussions centered on operational developments, air surveillance enhancement, and the expansion of aviation services.
Speaking at the event, Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, praised the company’s progress since the inauguration of its board, noting its achievements in the past year.
“It is evident that the company has made significant strides in this short period, surpassing previous achievements. The company’s future prospects are even more important to us,” Adeniyi said.
He also highlighted his recent visit to the company’s hangar, affirming confidence in its investment strategy. “On my way back from Ilorin yesterday, I stopped by the hangar and saw firsthand how busy it was. This underscores that we are investing in the right direction.”
Adeniyi further revealed that the Ministry of Finance had expressed interest in additional investments in the company, which could inject fresh capital and expertise to drive its growth.
“As the majority shareholder, our expectation is that the company will continue to grow as a profit-yielding entity, providing value to stakeholders and shareholders,” he stated.
The Managing Director of NCT&HSL, Capt. Kuhi Mbaya, emphasized the company’s role in modernizing customs operations, aligning with broader initiatives to enhance efficiency and revenue generation. He underscored the importance of maintaining financial prudence while ensuring operational excellence.
“We are strategically employing qualified and competent staff while managing salary overheads carefully. We have also made significant strides in legal compliance,” Mbaya noted.
He added that cost-cutting measures, such as leasing expensive maintenance equipment instead of outright purchases, were being explored to optimize expenditure without compromising safety or compliance.
The AGM concluded with the appointment of new auditors and the reappointment of directors. Future plans include upgrading aircraft maintenance facilities, improving ground handling services, and expanding the NCS fleet to bolster customs enforcement operations.
