NAF, CUSTOMS DEEPEN COLLABORATION TO BOOST LOGISTICS EFFICIENCY 

As part of  strategic move to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and enhance operational logistics, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), through the 643 Equipment Supply Depot (ESD), partnered with the Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for a specialised cross-training programme.

A programme  recently conducted at the ICT Training Centre of the Area Command, the session involved 3 officers and 11 airmen from the Depot and focused on the newly introduced NCS clearing procedures. Participants also engaged in practical exercises on the recently launched NCS B’ODOGWU portal, aimed at streamlining customs processes.

The highly interactive training not only bridged knowledge gaps and addressed long-standing bottlenecks in the Depot’s logistics clearing operations, but also opened new channels for operational synergy between the 2 institutions. By leveraging each agency’s expertise, both NAF and NCS stand to benefit from faster, more transparent, and more efficient cargo handling, a critical enabler for sustaining mission readiness and national security objectives.

Speaking on the significance of the initiative, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, noted, “This collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service is a clear example of how deliberate training and mission-oriented force development can directly improve operational effectiveness. Together, we are building the capacity to deliver with precision, speed, and accountability.” With improved capacity and streamlined processes, the Depot is now better positioned to deliver optimal support to NAF operations, even within limited manpower resources.