The Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders, Importers & Exporters Coalition (SNFFIEC) has hailed the historic election of Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR as the new Chairperson of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council — the first Nigerian to ever hold the position.
In a statement released by the coalition’s National Coordinator, Chief Osita Chukwu PhD, KSJI, the group commended Adeniyi’s visionary leadership and celebrated the global recognition of his reform efforts within Nigeria’s Customs Service.
According to Chief Chukwu, Adeniyi’s dedication to modernization — particularly through digitalization and automation — has elevated Nigeria’s status on the international stage and helped to secure this prestigious appointment.
He added that the CGC’s boldness in cancelling and refunding the much criticized 4% FOB wrongly imposed on all imports by the Federal Ministry of Finance must have contributed to his global fame.
“This is not just a win for Customs but a win for Nigeria,” Chief Chukwu remarked. “Our group will continue to champion progress while shedding light on any inefficiencies within the maritime sector.”
CGC Adeniyi’s election was confirmed during the closing session of the 145th/146th WCO Council Meetings on June 28, 2025, in Brussels, succeeding Edward Kieswetter of South Africa. The milestone not only highlights Nigeria’s growing influence but also positions the country as a key player in shaping global customs policy.