Customs raises Breast Cancer awareness, secures ₦50m support

By Onu Okorie

Nigeria Customs Service NCS has intensified its campaign for early detection and prevention of breast cancer, urging officers to make regular health checks a priority as part of efforts to build a healthier workforce.
The Service gave the charge at its headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, where it marked the 2026 Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a sensitisation programme themed, “Inspect, Detect, Protect.”
The programme, held on October 6, brought together Customs officers, medical professionals and stakeholders to promote awareness, early diagnosis and effective management of breast cancer.
Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Information and Communication Technology and Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, said cancer should not be treated as a stigma or regarded as the end of life.
Adebakin urged officers to remain vigilant about their health, noting that education and sensitisation were essential to detecting the disease early and improving treatment outcomes.
“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, called on officers, particularly women, to take greater responsibility for their health through regular self-examination and prompt medical attention.
She observed that women often prioritised the welfare of their families while neglecting their own health, warning that such a pattern could have serious consequences.
“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, urging them to support women in their families and communities and participate actively in awareness efforts.
The Project Manager of the BOYA Project, Fauziya Abubakar, said the initiative had sustained breast cancer awareness within the Customs Service for three years.
Abubakar stressed that continued sensitisation and regular screening remained critical to reducing the impact of the disease, particularly because early detection can significantly improve treatment prospects.
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 bring the same diligence they apply to their professional duties to matters concerning their health.
“When you are not sure, always ask and always check. No one has to fight this alone,” she said.
The event featured a health talk, medical session, survivor testimony and question-and-answer segment, 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, turning the sensitisation exercise into direct medical intervention.
The initiative underscores the growing emphasis within the Customs Service on staff welfare, preventive healthcare and early intervention, with stakeholders stressing that sustained awareness and access to screening are essential tools in reducing the human and social burden of breast cancer.