Nigeria Customs chief re-elected to lead World Customs Organization

Bashir Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has been unanimously re-elected Chairperson of the World Customs Organization (WCO), marking a significant recognition of his leadership and Nigeria's role in global customs administration. This re-election, occurring just three months after his initial election, underscores the transformation within the NCS over the past three years.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu lauded Adeniyi's initiatives, stating that his re-election reflects the "remarkable progress recorded under his leadership." The President highlighted Adeniyi's success in improving revenue generation, strengthening border security, facilitating legitimate trade, and modernizing customs operations through "homegrown innovations." Tinubu expressed confidence that Adeniyi's second term will foster deeper international collaboration and promote secure, efficient global trade, further enhancing Nigeria's international standing.

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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

Earlier in April 2026, the WCO had already commended Nigeria Customs' efforts towards achieving faster and safer trade in Africa during the presentation of Nigeria's Time Release Study (TRS). WCO Secretary-General Ian Saunders described the TRS as a practical, evidence-based reform capable of boosting trade competitiveness and enhancing national safety within African trade corridors.

These testimonies collectively affirm Adeniyi's three-year tenure, characterized by strengthening institutional capacity, consolidating reforms, and modernizing customs administration while aligning with Nigeria's broader economic development goals. Adeniyi consistently emphasizes the importance of long-lasting partnerships and new alliances within the WCO framework. A key focus for the NCS's trade facilitation agenda is the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) under the World Trade Organization (WTO). Through proactive adoption of TFA provisions, the NCS has embraced advanced ruling mechanisms, risk management techniques, and expedited clearance procedures to improve predictability for businesses.

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TRS as a practical and evidence-based reform capable of strengthening border efficiency, boosting trade competitiveness within trade corridors in Africa and enhancing national safety.