President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has congratulated the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, on his unanimous re-election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council during the organisation’s 147th and 148th Council Sessions held in Brussels, Belgium, describing the achievement as a historic endorsement of his visionary leadership and Nigeria’s growing influence in global customs administration.
The President’s congratulatory message was conveyed in a State House press release issued on Friday, July 3, 2026, by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to President Tinubu, the overwhelming confidence reposed in CGC Adeniyi by customs administrations across the world reflects the remarkable progress recorded under his leadership and the growing international recognition of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), further affirming the Service’s emergence as one of the world’s leading customs institutions.
Building on this recognition, President Tinubu asserted that his recent approval of Adeniyi’s tenure extension as Comptroller-General of Customs was informed by his conviction that the ongoing reform agenda within the Service must be sustained.
He expressed satisfaction that the international customs community had validated that decision through its unanimous endorsement, noting that Adeniyi’s re-election reflects his success in strengthening institutional capacity, consolidating reforms, modernising customs administration, and projecting Nigeria as a leading voice in global customs affairs.
“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 such as B’Odogwu. 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,” the President said.
President Tinubu further noted that the transformation of the Service under Adeniyi's leadership continues to support the Federal Government's broader economic reform agenda by improving trade efficiency, strengthening border governance, and promoting a more transparent customs administration.
“The reforms being implemented by the NCS are contributing significantly to our administration’s economic objectives. Through innovation, improved border management, enhanced trade facilitation, and greater institutional efficiency, the Service is supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda while reinforcing Nigeria’s competitiveness in global commerce. The international confidence demonstrated through this re-election is a reflection of the quality of leadership and institutional transformation taking place within the Service,” the President added.
He also applauded the implementation of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme, the expansion of non-intrusive inspection technology, strengthened inter-agency collaboration, and the Service’s sustained alignment with international customs standards, noting that these initiatives have reinforced the Service’s reputation as a modern, efficient, and globally respected institution committed to facilitating legitimate trade while safeguarding the nation’s borders.
President Tinubu wished the Comptroller-General continued wisdom, strength, and success as he begins another term as Chairperson of the WCO Council, expressing confidence that his renewed global mandate would deepen international customs cooperation while sustaining the ongoing transformation of the NCS in support of the Renewed Hope Agenda and Nigeria’s broader economic development aspirations.