CGC Adeniyi Reaffirms Commitment to Customs Modernisation at Regional Conference in Sierra Leone
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, has reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to regional modernisation, institutional cooperation, and shared economic growth across West and Central Africa.
He made the remarks in Freetown, Sierra Leone, during the 32nd Conference of Directors-General of Customs for the West and Central Africa (WCA) Region, held from 7 to 8 May 2026.
Adeniyi emphasised that Nigeria’s leadership within the WCO framework is rooted in collective responsibility and inclusivity, noting that the region’s cohesion is sustained through a longstanding tradition of rotational leadership.
“This chairmanship is not mine. It belongs to the region that sent me. Anytime I take the chair, I take it on behalf of every administration represented in this hall,” he said, underscoring what he described as the shared ownership of regional governance.
He further highlighted the strength of the WCO West and Central Africa Region, describing its rotational system of leadership as a stabilising factor that reinforces unity among member states.
“Our region has a quiet but powerful tradition. Every member, big or small, takes its turn. The right to host is not negotiated. We pass the baton from one capital to the next,” he added.
Adeniyi commended the WCO Secretary-General and the Policy Commission for sustaining an inclusive modernisation agenda that ensures balanced representation of all regions in global Customs reforms.
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The conference was formally declared open by Sierra Leone’s President and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Dr Julius Maada Bio, who called for stronger regional cooperation to enhance trade facilitation, border security, and economic integration across West and Central Africa.
Themed “A Customs Service that Protects Society Through its Vigilance and Commitment,” the conference focused on strengthening digital transformation and shifting Customs operations from reactive enforcement to intelligence-led, proactive border management.
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Finance, in his remarks, described Customs administrations as critical safeguards of the modern state and outlined ongoing national reforms, including upgrades to ASYCUDA World, the introduction of a Single Window Customs and Ports Community System, and the deployment of product tracing mechanisms for excisable goods.
Over two days, delegates deliberated on reports from the WCO Secretariat and the Regional Working Group on the Private Sector, with emphasis on harmonised Customs procedures, real-time information exchange, and improved mechanisms to counter illicit trade.
Key discussions also centred on the implementation of digital trade facilitation tools such as the Single Window system, the ECOWAS SIGMAT transit framework, and the implications of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) for Customs operations, risk management, and cross-border data sharing.
Participants stressed that while trade liberalisation remains essential for regional integration, it must be supported by robust enforcement systems capable of preventing abuse of trade corridors and addressing transnational criminal activities.
The conference also marked a leadership transition within the region, with the Central African Republic elected as the new Vice Chair of the WCO West and Central Africa Region, succeeding Mali after the completion of its two-year tenure.
By PRNigeria
