Comptroller James Folorunsho Ojo’s Remarkable Career in Nigeria Customs Service Honoured at Retirement Reception

Mary Nnah

The retirement reception for Comptroller James Folorunsho Ojo was a grand celebration held at the Anchor Event Centre in Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos.
The event was a fitting tribute to Comptroller Ojo’s remarkable career in the Nigeria Customs Service, spanning over three decades.

Born in the sixties in Akure to the family of Samuel Ojo Ajayi of the Oshodi ruling house, Comptroller Ojo’s educational background includes attending LA Primary School, Kajola, and St. David Primary School in Akure, graduating in 1975.
He then proceeded to Akure High School for his secondary education from 1975 to 1980. Before joining the Nigeria Customs Service in 1989, Comptroller Ojo worked briefly in the Department of Audit in the old Ondo State and later pursued his undergraduate and postgraduate studies at the Institute of Agriculture, University of Ife, and University of Calabar.

Comptroller Ojo’s career in the Nigeria Customs Service was marked by exceptional leadership and dedication. He served in various capacities and locations, including Port-Harcourt Area II, Cross-River State, Kwara, Tincan Island Port, Seme Border Command, and Ogun 1 Command, where he retired in December 2024. His roles included serving as Personal Assistant to several senior officers, Staff Officer in SDV, DC Terminal, and Comptroller of Ogun 1 Command.

Throughout his career, Comptroller Ojo demonstrated a commitment to community service, earning him numerous titles, including Aare Gbobaniyi of Akure, Ogidi-omo of Erijiyan Ekiti, Soludero of Isheri, Lagos, Aare Amuludun of Igandoland, and Atunluse of Ipokialand. These titles, he noted, “mean so much to me because it’s a sign of recognition.”

In his reflections, Comptroller Ojo shared fond memories of his childhood, saying, “I remember how we used to live together with my extended family, go to school without shoes and play football barefooted then. Listen to folk stories from my parents, attended church on Sundays. All these helped to shape my life as I grew up.”
His favourite subject in school was chemistry, and he never thought of working in customs until his friend, DCG Peters Rtd, brought the idea.

Comptroller Ojo faced significant challenges during his career, particularly while working in border posts. He recalled, “Working in the border post was too challenging unlike the revenue which I found most exciting.”
Despite these challenges, he thrived in his roles, employing strategies such as high-level consultation with stakeholders and traditional rulers, and training his officers to be professionals.

As Comptroller of Ogun 1 Command, Comptroller Ojo engaged in “high-level consultation with various stakeholders and traditional rulers seeking for their support for the task ahead.
“My officers were trained on the need to be professional on their job, he said, while emphasizing the importance of professionalism and stakeholder engagement in achieving his goals.

On balancing work and family life, Comptroller Ojo admitted, “It’s not easy at all but I was able to weather the storm.”
In his free time, he enjoys football and music. “I enjoyed these during the limited time at my disposal”, he noted.

As he embarks on this new chapter, Comptroller Ojo advises young officers to “keep the tempo going. We are blessed with a workaholic CGC who has completely rebranded the service so they cannot afford to miss it. So apply to other new entrants to other departments.”
His legacy in the Nigeria Customs Service is a testament to his dedication and leadership, and his contributions to the service will be remembered for years to come.