As part of customs CSR effort to touching lives, impacting knowledge on the young generations and community development, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, “Customs Cares,” has renovated and equipped the Christ Assembly Nursery and Primary School in Olodi Apapa, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The school which was originally established in 1960, now boasts upgraded infrastructure and state-of-the-art learning facilities designed to provide pupils and their teachers with safer and more engaging environment for academic growth.
The project executed in partnership between the Tin Can Island Port Command and Customs Headquarters, Abuja.
Speaking at the official commissioning of the project on Thursday, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, said the intervention aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reflects Customs’ broader commitment to national development through social investment.
Adeniyi stated that the target of the service in 2025 is to directly reach out to 50,000 students by supporting them with educational items. He highlighted that the NCS had achieved part of this goal with help already rendered to 12,000 students; with 5,000 of them in Lagos.
Adeniyi disclosed that the service is also targeting to impact the lives of 10 million Nigerians through various intervention programmes.
He said that the Nigeria Customs will continue to touch lives in other areas such as healthcare, sports, Information Communication Technology (ICT), the creative industry, as well as support for the less privileged in the society.
According to him,“Our next intervention will be to support sports development in the community. We will team up with you to see how we can develop the facilities in Maracana as the Chairman has mentioned".
At the event, 2,000 pupils received educational materials including bags, books, and stationery. The Customs team also offered free medical checkups to attendees—youth and elderly—underscoring the multifaceted nature of the intervention.
The Customs Area Controller, Tin Can Island Port, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, expressed gratitude to the CGC for prioritizing community impact and praised the school’s management and stakeholders for their support throughout the renovation process.
He particularly commended the Headmistress of the school and the teachers and students for their determination and role in making sure the project was a success.
Traditional ruler of Apapa Kingdom, HRM Oba Moroof Tijani Oyekunle Oluwa, commended the Customs for the unprecedented intervention and urged other government agencies, particularly the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), to emulate the gesture.
Federal Representative for Ajeromi-Ifelodun Constituency, Hon. Kalejaiye Adeboye Paul, and Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Tolani Ali-Balogun, also lauded the Customs for bridging educational gaps. Ali-Balogun promised that the state’s Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) would ensure proper maintenance of the facility.
Outgoing Chairman of the Local Government, Hon. Fatai Ayoola, described the intervention as “historic,” adding that it is the first time such extensive developmental support has been brought to the community.
The headmistress of the school, Mrs. Esther Ogunfuyi, said the transformation went beyond physical infrastructure, describing it as “a reflection of belief in our pupils’ potential and a commitment to walk this educational journey with us.” She added that this isn’t just paint or new walls—it’s pride, dignity, and renewed hope. “You’ve given us the gift of a future worth striving for".
“Your generosity has created a safer, more inspiring, and dignified environment for both teaching and learning,” she said.
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