Exactly two years after his landmark appointment as Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR has been unanimously elected as Chairperson of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council the highest decision-making body in global customs administration.
The election, held on Saturday, June 28, 2025, during the 145th/146th WCO Council Meetings in Brussels, marks a significant milestone for Nigeria. CGC Adeniyi succeeds South Africa’s Edward Kieswetter and becomes the first Nigerian to assume this global role since the WCO’s founding.
Describing the moment as both humbling and historic, CGC Adeniyi expressed deep appreciation to member countries for their trust. “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 said. “As Chairperson, I pledge to uphold the WCO’s values while championing innovation, equity, and collaboration.”
He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the WCO’s 2025–2028 strategic plan, emphasizing the need for customs administrations to balance facilitation with enforcement, and sovereignty with cooperation. “Customs must adapt to the evolving complexities of global trade,” he said. “And I intend to help lead that charge.”
CGC Adeniyi also praised the leadership of his predecessor, Edward Kieswetter, for laying a strong foundation that continues to support modernisation within the Council.
The WCO Council established by the Convention on the Establishment of a Customs Co-operation Council guides customs practices across its 185 member states. As Chair, CGC Adeniyi will provide strategic direction to the WCO Policy Commission and spearhead high-level engagements on trade facilitation, digital transformation, border security, and cross-border cooperation.
Working closely with WCO Secretary-General Ian Saunders and the Secretariat, he will also lead efforts to ensure inclusivity, sustainability, and enhanced capacity building for developing economies.
A symbolic moment followed the announcement of his election: the South African flag was lowered while Nigeria’s flag was raised at WCO Headquarters signifying a powerful new chapter in African customs leadership. The room erupted in applause, a testament to Nigeria’s rising global stature.
CGC Adeniyi’s chairmanship is expected to energize conversations around AfCFTA implementation, combatting illicit trade, and advancing customs automation especially across the Global South.
