By Abdullahi Lukman
In a landmark development for Nigeria on the global stage, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, was unanimously elected Chairperson of the Council of the World Customs Organization (WCO) on Saturday.
This unprecedented achievement marks the first time a Nigerian will lead the 73-year-old intergovernmental body, which stands as the highest decision-making authority in global customs administration, encompassing 186 member countries.
President Bola Tinubu promptly extended his congratulations to Mr. Adeniyi, as well as the entire NCS board, management, and staff, for this significant international recognition.
The President emphasized that the symbolic raising of the Nigerian flag at the WCO headquarters in Brussels – a first since the organization’s inception in 1952 – serves as a powerful testament to the dynamic leadership Mr. Adeniyi has demonstrated.
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Since assuming leadership of the NCS two years ago, Mr. Adeniyi has spearheaded remarkable reforms.
His tenure has been characterized by consistent increases in revenue collections, routinely surpassing budgetary targets, fostering improved relationships with diverse stakeholders, and modernizing operations through the digitalization of processes for enhanced effectiveness.
President Tinubu, through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged the newly elected WCO Chairperson to not only meet but exceed the expectations placed upon him by the WCO Council.
The President also conveyed his gratitude to the Secretary-General and other WCO leaders for their unanimous decision to elect the Nigerian Customs boss, assuring them of his government’s full support for Adeniyi’s leadership.
Mr. Adeniyi is scheduled to officially commence his role as Chairperson on July 1, 2025, taking over from Edward Kieswetter, the Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service.
The WCO Council, as the organization’s supreme governing body, plays a pivotal role in promoting uniformity, modernization, and the adoption of global best practices among customs administrations worldwide.
All WCO working bodies report to the Council, and its policy decisions guide the operations of customs administrations across its extensive network of member states.
