Nigeria has further strengthened its position in global customs administration as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has been re-elected as Chairman of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council for another one-year term.
The renewal of his leadership was announced during the 147th and 148th Sessions of the WCO Council held in Brussels, Belgium. Member countries unanimously agreed to extend his tenure after acknowledging his leadership, commitment, and contributions to improving international customs cooperation.
Adeniyi returned to Nigeria on Monday following the successful meeting, where he received overwhelming support from member nations. His re-election is seen as another major achievement for Nigeria and a sign of the country’s growing influence in global customs administration.
The development comes only a few days after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved a six-month extension of Adeniyi’s appointment as Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service. The extension has been widely viewed as recognition of the reforms and improvements he has introduced since assuming office.
Upon his arrival at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, Adeniyi was warmly welcomed by the Customs management team. The officials celebrated both his international re-election and the extension of his tenure by presenting him with a commemorative souvenir in appreciation of his service.
Speaking during the reception, Adeniyi thanked the management and staff of the Service for their continuous support. He described the honour as a shared achievement made possible through teamwork and dedication.
According to him, he had travelled to Brussels expecting to officially hand over the chairmanship to another representative. However, the outcome surprised him as member countries instead agreed to retain him for another year.
He said the renewed confidence shown by the global customs community reflects not only his personal efforts but also the hard work and commitment of officers and personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Adeniyi dedicated the achievement to every member of the Service, noting that the international recognition belongs to the entire organisation. He added that their commitment to reforms and professionalism played an important role in earning the confidence of customs administrations around the world.
His continued leadership of the WCO Council is expected to further strengthen Nigeria’s reputation in global trade and customs matters. It also provides an opportunity for the country to contribute more actively to international policies that promote secure and efficient cross-border trade.
Industry observers believe the renewed mandate will support the ongoing modernisation of the Nigeria Customs Service. It is also expected to encourage stronger collaboration with customs authorities across different countries, improve trade facilitation, and enhance revenue collection through better customs practices.
The extension of both his international and national leadership positions is expected to provide stability for the Service as it continues implementing reforms aimed at making customs operations more transparent, efficient, and technology-driven.
With Adeniyi remaining at the helm of both the Nigeria Customs Service and the World Customs Organisation Council, Nigeria is expected to play an even more significant role in shaping the future of global customs administration while strengthening its own trade and border management systems.
