The African Forum for Innovative Teachers (AFFiT) has inducted Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Isyaku Nafiu of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as an Executive Ambassador Fellow of AFFiT during a ceremony held at the Service’s Headquarters in Abuja.
The induction represents a significant step towards strengthening collaboration between the education and research community and public institutions, with particular emphasis on the role of research, innovation, and evidence-based practices in improving institutional performance and national development.
AFFiT Advocates Greater Investment in Research
Speaking during the ceremony, the Director-General of AFFiT highlighted the importance of research as a strategic instrument for institutional growth, operational effectiveness, and continuous improvement.
The Director-General stressed the need for the Nigeria Customs Service to leverage research more extensively to generate insights that can inform policy, strengthen decision-making, and establish best practices across the agency.
According to the Director-General, research should extend beyond academic inquiry and publications to produce practical outcomes that address institutional challenges, improve service delivery, and support innovation. By systematically applying research findings, public institutions can develop more effective strategies, improve operational processes, and achieve measurable results.
The position reinforces AFFiT’s commitment to promoting a culture in which research informs professional practice, institutional planning, and the development of sustainable solutions to real-world challenges.
ACG Isyaku Nafiu Reaffirms the Importance of Research
Responding to the Director-General’s remarks, ACG Isyaku Nafiu expressed agreement with the need for institutions to place greater emphasis on research and its practical application.
He highlighted his own research background, noting his role as the Assistant Comptroller-General in charge of Strategic Research and Planning within the Nigeria Customs Service.
His portfolio underscores the relevance of research to strategic planning, institutional development, and informed decision-making. The alignment between AFFiT’s advocacy and the ACG’s professional responsibilities provides an important opportunity to explore how research can contribute to improved practices and institutional excellence.
The discussion also highlighted the value of connecting research expertise with the operational realities of public institutions, ensuring that knowledge generated through research can be translated into actionable strategies and improvements.
Strengthening the Link Between Research and Institutional Practice
AFFiT recognises that sustainable development depends, in part, on the ability of institutions to generate, apply, and share knowledge. Research provides a foundation for identifying challenges, testing solutions, evaluating outcomes, and developing practices that can be adopted and improved over time.
For an institution such as the Nigeria Customs Service, a stronger research culture can support strategic planning, process improvement, professional development, innovation, and more effective public service delivery.
Through collaboration with researchers, educators, and other professionals, public agencies can access new perspectives, develop practical solutions, and strengthen their capacity to respond to emerging challenges.
AFFiT remains committed to encouraging partnerships that connect research with industry, government, education, and other sectors, helping to bridge the gap between knowledge generation and practical application.
Executive Ambassador Fellowship: Recognising Leadership and Building Partnerships
The induction of ACG Isyaku Nafiu as an Executive Ambassador Fellow reflects AFFiT’s commitment to recognising accomplished leaders and professionals who can contribute to advancing education, research, innovation, and sustainable development.
The Executive Ambassador Fellowship provides a platform for engaging distinguished individuals whose professional experience, leadership, and networks can support the organisation’s mission and broaden its impact.
AFFiT believes that meaningful collaboration among educators, researchers, public-sector leaders, and industry professionals can create opportunities for knowledge exchange, institutional partnerships, and the development of solutions that address critical societal needs.
The induction also reinforces the importance of extending research collaboration beyond traditional academic environments to include public institutions where research findings can inform policies, operational strategies, and professional practices.
Advancing AFFiT’s Vision for Research and Innovation
The engagement with the Nigeria Customs Service aligns with AFFiT’s broader commitment to advancing research excellence, professional development, knowledge exchange, and innovation across Africa.
By encouraging institutions to embrace research as a tool for continuous improvement, AFFiT seeks to promote an environment where evidence informs decisions, innovative ideas are developed into practical solutions, and successful approaches can be adopted as best practices.
The organisation looks forward to opportunities for productive engagement with ACG Isyaku Nafiu and the Nigeria Customs Service in promoting research-driven institutional development.
AFFiT congratulates ACG Isyaku Nafiu on his induction as an Executive Ambassador Fellow and looks forward to building partnerships that advance research, strengthen professional practice, and contribute to national development.
African Forum for Innovative Teachers (AFFiT)
Uniting African Educators, Professionals, and Leaders for Global Impact.
