Bashir Adeniyi’s bold initiatives have improved revenue generation, strengthened border security, and facilitated legitimate trade, writes
The two events by the World Customs Organisation, (WCO) though barely three months apart and in two locations – Brussels, Belgium and Tin Can Island Port, Lagos, – clearly signposted the transformation that has taken place in the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in trade promotion for overall improvement of the country’s economy in the past three years. On Friday July 3, 2026, during the 147th and 148th sessions of the WCO Council held in Brussels, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, showered encomiums on Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) on his unanimous re-election as Chairperson of the global body. He said the overwhelming confidence reposed in Adeniyi by customs administrations across the world reflected the remarkable progress recorded under his leadership and the growing international recognition of the NCS as one of the world’s leading customs institutions. “Adeniyi’s unanimous re-election is not only a personal honour to Adeniyi, but also a recognition of Nigeria’s growing influence in global customs administration. His leadership of the NCS has been marked by bold initiatives that have improved revenue generation, strengthened border security, facilitated legitimate trade, and modernised customs operations through homegrown innovations…. I am confident that his second term at the WCO will further deepen international collaboration, promote secure and efficient global trade, and bring even greater honour to our country,” President Tinubu said.
