By Sabiu Abdullahi
In a ceremony held on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters, Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi handed over the Vice-Chair of the World Customs Organization (WCO) West and Central African Region to Mali’s Inspector-General of Customs, Amadou Konate.
CGC Adeniyi stated the significance of the sub-region, saying, “The sub-region serves as a platform for Customs Administrations to share experiences and develop lasting solutions to their common problems.”
He also pledged mutual mentorship and support, identifying areas where the Nigeria Customs Service could assist the Malian Customs Administration.
Adeniyi explained the WCO framework, stating, “The WCO is an umbrella body uniting over 184 Customs Administrations worldwide. Each of the six global regions has an elected Vice-Chair who assists the Secretary-General in the administrative structure.”
Inspector-General Konate expressed gratitude for the hospitality and expressed interest in building strong collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service.
He noted the differences in administrative structures but welcomed the opportunity to learn from Nigeria’s experience.
The handover marks a significant milestone in regional cooperation and knowledge sharing among customs administrations.