The comptroller-general of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has secured a one-year extension of his tenure as chairman of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, further strengthening Nigeria’s influence in global Customs administration.
Adeniyi returned to Nigeria on Monday after attending the 147th and 148th Sessions of the WCO Council in Brussels, Belgium, where member countries unanimously renewed his chairmanship for another year in recognition of his leadership and commitment to advancing international customs cooperation.
The development came shortly after President Bola Tinubu approved a six-month extension of Adeniyi’s appointment as comptroller-general of Customs, a move widely seen as an endorsement of his reform agenda and achievements within the Service.
On his arrival at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, the Customs management team warmly received him and presented a commemorative souvenir to celebrate both his renewed international mandate and the extension of his tenure as comptroller-general.
Responding to the gesture, Adeniyi expressed appreciation to the management team for their support, describing the recognition as a reflection of the unity and shared commitment within the Service.
He revealed that he travelled to Brussels expecting to hand over the chairmanship of the WCO Council, only to be entrusted with another one-year mandate by member countries.
“I sincerely appreciate your support. I went to Brussels believing I was going to hand over, but the outcome was different. The Council renewed my tenure for another one year, and I dedicate this achievement to the entire Nigeria Customs Service,” he said.
He noted that the renewed confidence reposed in him by the global customs body was a testament to the collective efforts of officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service in driving reforms and improving customs administration.
The renewed WCO mandate, alongside the extension of his tenure as Comptroller-General, is expected to provide greater momentum for the Service’s ongoing modernisation programme, deepen international partnerships, enhance trade facilitation and strengthen Nigeria’s leadership role in global Customs affairs.
