By Joel Ajayi
As the curtain fell on the first stanza of the 2025 Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Volleyball Premier League in Abuja, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) assured fans and players of an even more exciting and competitive second phase.
The prestigious competition, now a highlight on Nigeria’s volleyball calendar, features 24 teams—12 men’s and 12 women’s—battling for supremacy. At the end of the first phase, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) team emerged leaders in the men’s category, while Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) dominated the women’s division, crowned halfway champions after winning all their matches.
The decisive second phase will once again hold in Abuja from November 29 to December 10, when the overall champions will be officially crowned. Beyond the grand prizes at stake, the CGC has demonstrated strong commitment to the league, investing ₦24 million as subsidies in the first phase, with the same support guaranteed for the finale.
Speaking after the closing of first Phase in Abuja, NCS Director of Sports, Samuel Onikeku—representing the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi—promised an improved final stage.
“We are committed to delivering a better and more competitive second phase,” Onikeku assured, stressing that the Customs leadership remains determined to strengthen volleyball and promote sports development across Nigeria.
Reflecting on the first phase, Onikeku expressed satisfaction with the performance of the female team, which played 11 matches and won all. He noted that reorganization and strategic trials held two months ago helped the squad overcome earlier challenges.
On the men’s side, he described their second-place finish as a significant improvement compared to last year, while promising more work ahead. “Even though our women won all their games, we will still make improvements. The ultimate goal is to perform strongly at the continental club championship,” he said.
