President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on his landmark election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council — a move widely hailed as a proud moment for Nigeria on the global stage.
Adeniyi was unanimously elected on Saturday in Brussels, making history as the first Nigerian to ever occupy the prestigious seat at the 73-year-old global body. The WCO, which boasts 186 member countries, was established in 1952 — and until now, Nigeria had never held such a high-ranking position within its leadership.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu applauded Adeniyi’s performance since assuming office, noting his significant strides in revenue generation, exceeding fiscal targets, enhancing stakeholder collaboration, and ushering in a new era of digital innovation within Nigeria’s customs operations.
“I congratulate the Customs boss for bringing pride and validation to our country and the economic reforms. I urge the new Chairperson of the WCO to live up to the expectations of the Council and even surpass them,” Tinubu said.
The President also extended appreciation to the WCO Secretary-General and Council members for their support in Adeniyi’s emergence and assured them of Nigeria’s unwavering support during his tenure.
Adeniyi is set to officially take over from Edward Kieswetter, the Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service, on July 1, 2025. In his new role, he will be responsible for guiding the WCO Council’s policy direction, setting global standards, and promoting customs best practices across member countries — a duty that places Nigeria at the centre of international trade discourse.
Adeniyi’s election is seen as a strong endorsement of Nigeria’s reform efforts under President Tinubu’s leadership, as well as an acknowledgment of Adeniyi’s dedication and integrity in public service.
Standarddailypress joins the rest of the country in celebrating this remarkable achievement — one that not only honours Adeniyi’s professional journey but also strengthens Nigeria’s global footprint in international trade and governance.
