Nigerian Customs Boss Elected Head of World Customs Body
In a historic moment for Nigeria, Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR has been unanimously elected as the Chairperson of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council. This prestigious appointment marks the first time a Nigerian will lead the WCO’s highest decision-making body since its inception.
The election took place today, Saturday, June 28, 2025, during the concluding session of the 145th/146th WCO Council Meetings held at the WCO Headquarters in Brussels. CGC Adeniyi takes over from Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service.
A Historic Achievement
CGC Adeniyi’s election comes exactly two years after his historic appointment as Nigeria’s Comptroller-General of Customs by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, which occurred during a high-level WCO Council meeting in June 2023.
A Pledge to Global Customs
Reacting to his new role, CGC Adeniyi expressed profound gratitude to the Council members for their confidence in his leadership. He described the moment as both humbling and historic for Nigeria and the entire African Customs community.
“This honor 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,” Adeniyi stated. “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.”
He further affirmed his commitment to implementing the WCO’s 2025–2028 strategic plan and supporting its ongoing modernization efforts. “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 added. “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.”
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CGC Adeniyi also commended his predecessor, Edward Kieswetter, for his guidance and leadership, which he noted laid a solid foundation for current reforms.
The Role of the WCO Council
The WCO Council serves as the organization’s supreme governing body, established by the Convention on the Establishment of a Customs Co-operation Council. Its core mandate is to promote uniformity, modernization, and global best practices among customs administrations worldwide. All WCO working bodies report to the Council, whose policy decisions guide operations across its 185 member states.
As Chairperson, CGC Adeniyi will provide strategic leadership to the WCO Policy Commission, guiding the global customs agenda and facilitating high-level discussions on crucial issues such as trade facilitation, revenue optimization, security, cross-border cooperation, and digital transformation. He will also work closely with WCO Secretary-General Mr. Ian Saunders and the WCO Secretariat to ensure the implementation of the organization’s Strategic Plan, while championing inclusivity, capacity development, and sustainability in customs operations, particularly for developing countries.
Furthermore, the Chairperson plays a vital diplomatic role, representing the WCO at high-level global forums and strengthening relationships with external partners like the Private Sector Consultative Group (PSCG), international donor bodies, and multilateral trade institutions.
A Symbol of Nigeria’s Growing Influence
In a powerful display of Nigeria’s new leadership role, shortly after the Council Session, the South African flag was respectfully lowered, and the Nigerian flag was hoisted at the WCO headquarters. This symbolic gesture was met with applause from delegates, underscoring Nigeria’s increasing influence in global customs affairs and marking a proud moment for the African continent.
Under CGC Adeniyi’s chairmanship, Nigeria is poised to drive customs reform conversations across the Global South, with a particular focus on areas such as African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation, illicit trade suppression, and technology adoption.
By PRNigeria
