Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Denca Global Courier Services, a firm specialising in entrepreneurship and export management, has trained no fewer than 100 customs officers preparing for retirement between 2025 and 2026 on opportunities in export, solid minerals and agro-industrial ventures.
The one-day capacity-building programme was organised by Denca Global Courier Services in partnership with the World Trade Centers Association and the Nigeria Customs Service.
Speaking at the training on Monday, the Chief Executive Officer of Denca Global, Dr Onyinye Queen Okpa, said the programme was designed to equip officers with the skills and confidence needed to build sustainable business careers after service.
She noted that the training, themed “From Uniform to Entrepreneur: Navigating Export, Mining & Agribusiness for a Successful Retirement,” was crucial because early preparation ensures a smooth transition to life after uniformed service.
According to her, Nigeria remains abundantly blessed with natural resources and a large domestic market, offering significant opportunities for enterprise.
“We are the most blessed country on earth, with huge export, solid mineral and agro-industrial potentials still largely untapped,” Okpa said.
She urged officers to choose value-chain ventures they are passionate about and build businesses that would benefit both them and their communities, assuring them of continued technical and advisory support from Denca Global.
In his opening remarks, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Tijjani Abe, said officers must begin to explore new opportunities across agriculture, export and related value-chains in today’s economy. He encouraged participants to take advantage of the practical knowledge shared by subject experts.
“There is a need to understand what your immediate environment presents and how it can be transformed into income within the value-chain,” Abe said.
Declaring the training open, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr Bashir Adeniyi, represented by Deputy Comptroller-General Dera Nnadi, described the programme as an investment in personal well-being and long-term financial independence.
Adeniyi reminded the officers that retirement marks the beginning of a new chapter filled with opportunity, especially in agriculture, which he described as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy. He also encouraged them to explore export and solid mineral mining guided by expert knowledge.
“The aim is simple: to empower you with the tools to build a new and prosperous future after exiting the Service,” he said. “Your discipline, leadership experience and work ethic already give you an extra advantage to succeed.”
He commended Denca Global and the World Trade Centers Association for partnering with the Customs Service to deliver the training.
The programme featured expert presentations on topics including “Digital Platforms as a Tool for Networking and Business Opportunities” by Mrs Emmanuel Anuoluwapo; “Navigating Agriculture for Sustainability and Export” by financial engineer Dr Nnaemeka Obiaraeri; “Transition from Uniform to Entrepreneur: The Mindset Shift” by Mr David Oke, Vice President, World Trade Center Lagos; and “The Bane of Non-Oil Export: A Case Study of Cassava” by business strategist Dr Henry Emejuo, among others.
