President Bola Tinubu has extended warm congratulations to the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, following his unanimous election as Chairperson of the Council of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) on Saturday in Brussels.
Mr. Adeniyi’s appointment is a landmark achievement—he is the first Nigerian to lead the 73-year-old WCO, a prestigious institution comprising 186 member nations and serving as the apex decision-making body in global customs administration.
In a statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu hailed the achievement as a moment of national pride and a testament to Mr. Adeniyi’s transformative leadership over the past two years. Since assuming office, the Customs Chief has introduced wide-ranging reforms, surpassed revenue targets, fostered improved stakeholder engagement, and implemented sweeping digital innovations across the Service.
“The sight of our national flag hoisted at WCO headquarters for the first time in history is a powerful symbol of the strides we are making as a nation,” President Tinubu said. “Mr. Adeniyi has brought distinction to Nigeria’s name, and I encourage him to exceed the expectations of this esteemed Council.”
President Tinubu also expressed appreciation to the Secretary-General and members of the WCO for the unanimous vote of confidence in the Nigerian candidate, pledging the Federal Government’s full support during his tenure.
Mr. Adeniyi succeeds Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service, and will officially begin his term on July 1, 2025. As Chairperson, he will steer the WCO’s mission to foster modernization, equity, and global best practices across customs systems worldwide.