CGC Adeniyi Leads Dialogue in Global Customs Enforcement Strategy
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Chairperson of the Council of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Adewale Adeniyi, has recorded a historic milestone on the global stage, delivering a keynote address at the opening of the 46th Session of the WCO Enforcement Committee in Brussels, Belgium.
The high-level session, held at the WCO headquarters on March 23, 2026, marked the first time in the Committee’s 43-year history that its opening was jointly addressed by both the WCO Secretary-General, Ian Saunders, and the Council Chairperson. The development signals an elevated strategic importance of the Enforcement Committee within global customs governance.
Adeniyi’s participation places the Nigeria Customs Service at the forefront of evolving international customs cooperation, as the Committee begins a transition from a traditionally enforcement-centric structure to a more policy-oriented framework. The shift is designed to address emerging global challenges such as advanced detection technologies, intelligence sharing, supply chain vulnerabilities, and trade-based money laundering.
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The ongoing review of the Committee’s Terms of Reference—last updated in 2009—further reflects efforts to recalibrate its mandate in response to increasingly complex global trade dynamics.
In his address, Adeniyi commended customs administrations worldwide for their sustained efforts against transnational organised crime, stressing the need for a more coordinated and intelligence-driven approach to enforcement.
“Customs enforcement today is no longer about isolated seizures; it is about protecting the integrity of global trade,” he stated, underscoring the changing nature of threats within international supply chains.
The NCS is also expected to contribute operational insights during the session, particularly on managing fragile borders. Drawing from Nigeria’s experience as a frontline administration in a high-pressure border environment, these perspectives are anticipated to inform policy discussions and strengthen enforcement frameworks across member states.
Adeniyi concluded with a call for enhanced collaboration among customs authorities globally, noting that stronger partnerships would bolster enforcement outcomes, secure trade routes, and reinforce the resilience of the global economy.
Meanwhile, delegates at the session witnessed a live demonstration of drone technology by the Netherlands Customs team, highlighting the increasing deployment of unmanned systems in modern border surveillance and enforcement operations.
By PRNigeria
