By Sabiu Abdullahi
Nigeria has taken a significant step onto the global stage as the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has been unanimously elected Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council—the highest decision-making body in global customs administration.
The development came during the final session of the 145th/146th WCO Council Meetings held on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the WCO Headquarters in Brussels.
Adeniyi takes over from Edward Kieswetter, the Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service, becoming the first Nigerian to occupy the post since the establishment of the WCO.
His election coincides with the second anniversary of his appointment as Nigeria’s Comptroller-General of Customs by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR in June 2023.
In his reaction, CGC Adeniyi described his emergence as Chairperson as “both humbling and historic for Nigeria and the African Customs community at large.”
While thanking the Council members for their trust, he noted, “This honour is not mine alone, it reflects the collective progress of the Nigeria Customs Service and the transformative agenda we’ve pursued over the past two years.”
He further pledged to uphold the WCO’s core values and promote innovation, fairness, and stronger collaboration among member countries.
“As Chairperson, I pledge to uphold the core values of the WCO, while promoting innovation, equity, and deeper collaboration among member states in response to the complex realities of global trade.”
CGC Adeniyi reiterated his full commitment to the WCO’s 2025–2028 Strategic Plan and ongoing modernisation agenda.
“We are entering a critical phase in the evolution of global trade, where customs must balance facilitation with enforcement, transparency with innovation, and sovereignty with cooperation,” he said. “I intend to work closely with member administrations and stakeholders to position the WCO as a dynamic, forward-looking institution fit for today’s challenges.”
He also paid tribute to his predecessor, Edward Kieswetter, acknowledging the stability and direction he brought to the Council.
Adeniyi said he looked forward to engaging constructively with other customs leaders during his tenure to further strengthen global cooperation.
The WCO Council, made up of representatives from 185 member states, serves as the governing authority of the organisation.
It sets the tone for global customs policy and provides direction for all its working bodies.As Chairperson, CGC Adeniyi will lead the WCO Policy Commission and coordinate high-level discussions on major customs-related issues including trade facilitation, revenue generation, cross-border security, and digital transformation.
He will also collaborate closely with the WCO Secretary-General, Mr. Ian Saunders, to implement strategic objectives while promoting capacity building and sustainability, especially in developing countries.
The position also places him at the heart of global diplomatic engagements, representing the WCO at international forums and building partnerships with external stakeholders, including private sector groups and multilateral institutions.
A symbolic highlight followed the Council session, as the South African flag was lowered and replaced with Nigeria’s at the WCO headquarters—a moment met with warm applause by delegates.
The gesture underscored Nigeria’s growing global profile and marked a proud milestone for the country and the African continent.
With CGC Adeniyi now at the helm of global customs leadership, Nigeria is expected to spearhead critical conversations on customs reform, technology integration, anti-smuggling strategies, and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).