Afeni Cup: Customs deploys football to protect border youth from smuggling

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

In an innovative effort to tackle youth involvement in cross-border smuggling, the Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has launched the Afeni Cup 2026, an inter-secondary school football competition designed to channel the energy of young people into sports, education and positive community engagement.

The tournament, which commenced on July 13 at Iko Gate Grammar School, Idiroko, is a joint initiative of the Ogun I Area Command and Jonnyyeko College of Health Science and Technology. It forms part of the Command’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme aimed at addressing one of the major social challenges facing communities along the Nigeria-Benin Republic border.

Unlike conventional enforcement measures, the football championship seeks to tackle smuggling at its roots by providing young people with constructive alternatives to illicit cross-border activities.

Launching the competition, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, said the initiative was inspired by the need to protect young people from the lure of smuggling and expose them to opportunities capable of transforming their future.

“Smuggling robs our youth of their future. By sponsoring this competition, we are not just playing football; we are creating a platform for advocacy, teaching life skills and showing these students that their potential extends far beyond the border tracks,” Afeni said.

He explained that the tournament is intended to identify and nurture football talents while instilling discipline, teamwork, leadership and respect for the law among participating students.

According to him, sports remain one of the most effective tools for youth development and social inclusion, particularly in border communities where economic hardship often exposes young people to criminal activities.

The Customs Area Controller noted that many communities around Idiroko have historically been vulnerable to smuggling because of their proximity to international borders, making sustained youth engagement essential to long-term anti-smuggling efforts.

The tournament features 12 secondary schools drawn from communities within the border corridor and will culminate in a grand finale on July 24, 2026. Hundreds of students are expected to participate both as players and supporters.

Beyond the competition, the initiative is also expected to promote peaceful coexistence, strengthen relationships between the Nigeria Customs Service and host communities, and encourage students to pursue education and sports as viable pathways to success.

The Command disclosed that winning schools and outstanding players will receive educational materials, trophies, medals and cash prizes to encourage academic excellence and sporting development.

Education stakeholders, youth organisations and community leaders have welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention capable of redirecting young minds from illegal activities toward productive ventures.

Observers say that while the Nigeria Customs Service has over the years undertaken various CSR projects including school renovations, educational support programmes, medical outreaches and community development initiatives; the Afeni Cup represents one of the more creative youth-focused interventions by the Ogun I Area Command. By using football as a tool for behavioural change, the Command is complementing enforcement operations with preventive measures aimed at addressing the social factors that fuel smuggling.

With the tournament now underway, residents hope the initiative will not only discover future football stars but also inspire a new generation of young people to choose education, sports and legitimate livelihoods over the risks and consequences of illicit cross-border trade.