Abdullahi Dikko

Abdullahi Dikko Inde, (11 May 1960 – 18 February 2021) was a Nigerian government official who served as the Comptroller-General of Nigerian Customs Service from August 2009 to August 2015.

Life and career
Dikko was born on 11 May 1960, in Musawa town, Musawa local government area of Katsina State, in present-day North Western Nigeria. He is an Alumnus of Government College, Kaduna in 1974 where he obtained the West African Senior School Certificate Examination in 1980.

He went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in economics and  a Master of Science degree in finance. From the Dimitrov Apostle Tshenov University, in Svishtov, Bulgaria.

He enlisted in the Nigerian Customs Service in 1988 and went on to have an illustrious 27year old career, serving the Nation Passionately, through the ranks.

He served in various commands of the Nigeria Customs Service like the Seme Border, the Tincan Island Port, Apapa, Imo, Kaduna, and Badagry Area Commands, before being reposted to Investigation and Inspection Department at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters, in Abuja.

He was appointed Controller-General of Nigerian Customs Service on 26 August 2009, by the Government of President Umaru Musa Yaradua. His reign went on up to the further successive Governments of Presidents Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 & 2015 respectively.

On the World Stage, Abdullahi dikko Inde went on to attain the Rank of Vice Chairman of the World Customs Organization during the tenure of Kunio Mikuriya, the Secretary General of the WCO.

His tenure as the comptroller General of Customs is described as exemplary, he  played a significant role in the transformation of the Nigerian Customs Service & boosted the revenue generation of the Nigerian State from N503bn to over N1.1trn.

Dikko is a very humble Man that is passionate about selfless Service, community development, capacity building & Agriculture.

His hobbies include lending a helping hand, Fasting and Jogging.

Death
After retiring in 2015 at the age of 55. Dikko Handed over the helm of leadership to his successor Col. Ibrahim Hamid Ali and quietly went on to enjoy his retirement.

Dikko is celebrated today as the father of modern Nigeria Customs. He modernised the service to what it is today in upholding international best practice. The recently just commissioned new Headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service is one of legacies of Dikko that stands Gloriously today.

On February 18, 2021, news broke out of the demise of the living legend, CGC Abdullahi Dikko Inde. He  died of an undisclosed illness in Abuja, the ever blossoming capital city of Nigeria, at the age of 60. He has since been buried according to Islamic rites. May God rest his soul. His legacy lives on. He is missed by millions in whose life he has impacted directly.

Awards
He was a recipient of numerous awards, including:
 * Member of The Federal republic, MFR awarded by the president of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
 * Officer of the Federal Republic, OFR awarded by the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
 * Best Anti Smuggling Command of the year (2007) awarded by the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents.
 * International Freight Forwards Association Award of the Highest CAC Revenue Collector of the year (2007).
 * Badagry Prime Award for Excellence (2007).
 * Maritime Watch Outstanding Service Award (2007)
 * Bold News Africa International Magazine's African Leadership Icon Merit Award (2008)
 * African Leaders of Integrity Merit Award (2008).
 * Africa Gold International Communications Award for Great African Patriotic Achievers (GAPAGA) (2008).
 * African Age International Leadership Gold Award for Excellence.
 * African Choice International News Magazine Award for Meritorious Award for Heroic Service, (2009).
 * Transparent Monitoring Action's Award for Transparent Administrator of year (2009).
 * Globalink International 2009 African International Role Model Leadership Gold Award for National Development.
 * Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Inspirational Leadership and Good Governance Award, (2009).
 * Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria's MARAN Award for the most outstanding Customs Administrator, (2009).
 * National Association of Government Approval Freight Forwarder's (NAGAFF) Peace Award (2009).