Nigeria Customs Raises Breast Cancer Awareness in Abuja, Secures ₦50m Pledge

By Stella Okocha

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its campaign against breast cancer, urging officers and stakeholders to prioritise early detection, regular screening and prompt medical attention as part of efforts to save lives.

The Service made the call on 6 October 2026 during a Breast Cancer Awareness Month sensitization programme held at its Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, under the theme, “Inspect, Detect, Protect.”

The event brought together Customs officers, medical professionals and partners to promote greater awareness of breast cancer and encourage proactive steps towards prevention and early diagnosis.

Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Information and Communication Technology and Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, said breast cancer and other forms of cancer should not be viewed as a stigma or a death sentence.

Adebakin urged officers to take their health seriously, stressing that continuous education and sensitization were essential to detecting cancer early and improving outcomes for those affected.

“Cancer isn’t a stigma. It is a time to give attention to those affected and give them hope again. Together, we can build a healthier society, a healthier Service, and healthier communities,” she said.

The President of the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), Mrs Kikelomo Adeniyi, who was the Special Guest of Honour and keynote speaker, challenged officers, especially women, to make their health a priority.

She noted that women often devoted considerable attention to the wellbeing of their families while neglecting their own health, urging them to conduct regular self-examinations and seek medical attention whenever they notice unusual changes.

“Fellow officers, you must be alive before you get promoted. Check on yourself,” Adeniyi said.

She also reminded male officers that breast cancer can affect men, encouraging them to support women in their families and communities and to take their own health seriously.

The Project Manager of the BOYA Project, Fauziya Abubakar, said the initiative had sustained breast cancer awareness within the Nigeria Customs Service for three years.

Abubakar stressed the importance of maintaining regular sensitization and screening programmes, noting that early detection remained a critical factor in the fight against the disease.

A major highlight of the event was a ₦50 million pledge by the Managing Director of Trade Modernisation Project Limited, Dr Jummai Umar-Ajijola, to support the fight against breast cancer.

Umar-Ajijola urged Customs officers and other participants to demonstrate the same level of diligence they apply to their official responsibilities when it comes to their health.

“When you are not sure, always ask and always check. No one has to fight this alone,” she said.

The programme featured a health talk, medical session, survivor testimony and an interactive question-and-answer session, providing participants with practical information on breast cancer prevention, detection and treatment.

The awareness campaign culminated in free breast cancer screening for officers and other participants, translating the Service’s call for vigilance and early detection into direct medical action.

The initiative underscores the Nigeria Customs Service’s growing emphasis on the health and wellbeing of its personnel, while reinforcing the message that early detection, timely intervention and community support can play a critical role in the fight against breast cancer.