President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on his unanimous election as the Chairperson of the Council of the World Customs Organisation (WCO).
Appreciating the Secretary-General and WCO leaders for unanimously electing the Nigerian Customs boss, President Tinubu pledged the Nigerian government’s support for the leadership of the Council
The President in a congratulatory message issued by the Special Adviser Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, said the election of the Nigerian Customs Comptroller-General, demonstrates the dynamism of the leadership provided since his headship of the NCS, in the past two years.
Significant milestone
The President expressed believe that the hoisting of the Nigerian flag at the WCO headquarters in Brussels marks a significant milestone for the nation.
“It is the first time the flag has been raised at the organisation’s headquarters since its founding in 1952.”
The Nigerian Leader noted that in two years, Adeniyi has increased revenue collections, consistently surpassing budgetary targets, improved relations with various stakeholders, modernised operations and digitalised processes for effectiveness.
“I congratulate the Customs boss for bringing pride and validation to our country and the economic reforms. I urge the new Chairperson of the WCO to live up to the expectation of the WCO Council and even surpass it,” the President said.
CGC Adeniyi, who takes over the leadership of the Council of WCO from Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service, will officially begin guiding the global institution on July 1, 2025.
Adeniyi who was unanimously elected on Saturday in Brussels made history as the first Nigerian to head the 73-year-old organisation, which has 186 member countries and is the highest decision-making body in global customs administration.
Global best practices
The WCO Council, the organisation’s supreme governing body, plays a crucial role in promoting uniformity, modernisation, and global best practices among customs administrations.
All WCO working bodies report to the Council, whose policy decisions guide the operations of customs administrations across its 186 member states.
Lateefah Ibrahim