WCO reappointment, Tinubu’s tenure extension boost customs reform agenda — CGC Adeniyi 

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has said his reappointment as Chairperson of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council and the six-month extension of his tenure by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will further accelerate the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) ongoing reform agenda and strengthen the country’s influence in global customs administration.

Adeniyi stated this on Monday while responding to a warm reception organised by the management of the Nigeria Customs Service at its headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, following his return from Brussels, Belgium, where he participated in the 147th and 148th Sessions of the WCO Council.

The Customs management team congratulated the Comptroller-General on two significant milestones—his unanimous renewal for another one-year term as Chairperson of the WCO Council and President Tinubu’s recent approval of a six-month extension of his appointment as Comptroller-General. The officers also presented him with a commemorative souvenir in recognition of what they described as his exemplary leadership and transformational impact on the Service.

Addressing the gathering, Adeniyi thanked the management and personnel of the Service for their unwavering support, attributing both achievements to their collective commitment to professionalism, innovation and institutional excellence.

“I sincerely appreciate your support. I travelled to Brussels believing I was going to hand over the chairmanship of the WCO Council, but the outcome was different. The Council renewed my tenure for another one year, and I dedicate this achievement to the entire Nigeria Customs Service,” he said.

The WCO Council, comprising customs administrations from 187 member countries, is the highest decision-making body of the global customs organisation. Adeniyi’s reappointment is widely seen as a recognition of Nigeria’s growing leadership in customs modernisation, trade facilitation, border security and international cooperation.

His renewed international mandate comes barely days after President Tinubu extended his tenure as Comptroller-General, a move viewed as providing continuity for the implementation of key reforms within the Nigeria Customs Service.

Since assuming office, Adeniyi has spearheaded several initiatives aimed at modernising customs operations, including the rollout of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System, expansion of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, stronger stakeholder engagement, enhanced anti-smuggling operations and the implementation of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

Inside the WCO

The Comptroller-General noted that the combined confidence reposed in him by both the international customs community and the Federal Government would further inspire the Service to consolidate its achievements in revenue generation, trade facilitation, border security and institutional reforms.

He emphasised that the renewed mandates were not personal honours but recognition of the dedication, professionalism and resilience of officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service.

The dual endorsements, observers say, are expected to bolster the Service’s reform agenda, deepen collaboration with international customs administrations and development partners, while positioning Nigeria to play an even greater role in shaping global customs policies and promoting secure, efficient and technology-driven cross-border trade.