The Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr Adewale Adeniyi, has chaired his first meeting as Chairman of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, leading the 93rd Session of the Policy Commission in Antigua, Guatemala, and further cementing Nigeria’s influence in global customs governance.
The three-day session, held from 2 to 4 December 2025 at the Hotel Soleil, brought together Heads of Customs Administrations and senior officials from across the WCO’s six regions.
In his opening remarks, Adeniyi welcomed delegates to Antigua Guatemala, a UNESCO World Heritage city, and paid tribute to customs officers worldwide who have died in the line of duty.
He urged participants to engage meaningfully with the pressing issues shaping international customs operations.
WCO Secretary General, Ian Saunders, and Guatemala’s Vice Minister of Public Finance, Patricia Joachin, also addressed the gathering, with the host government extending warm hospitality to delegates, including a traditional cultural dinner at the famed Capuchinas Ruins.
Adeniyi’s election as WCO Council Chair in June 2025 was widely viewed as a landmark achievement for both Nigeria and the African continent, positioning the country at the forefront of an organisation representing 187 customs administrations.
Reflecting on the weight of his mandate, he described the role as “a major responsibility for Nigeria and for Africa,” stressing the need to deliver leadership that bolsters global trade, enhances security and promotes inclusive customs governance.
His latest remarks mirror comments he made earlier in an exclusive WCO Global interview on The Customs Exchange: Conversations with Global Customs Leaders, where he characterised his election as validation of Nigeria’s ongoing customs reforms.
Adeniyi cited the Service’s modernisation drive over the past two years — including procedural reforms, systems alignment and strengthened international partnerships — as evidence of Nigeria’s forward momentum.
He highlighted the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, developed with WCO support, as one of the most impactful initiatives, noting its role in reducing clearance times, improving revenue performance and building trust with compliant traders.
He also pointed to Nigeria’s implementation of the SAFE Framework of Standards, the Time Release Study (TRS) and progress on advance rulings as further demonstration of the country’s adherence to global best practice.
Calling for stronger cooperation among customs administrations, Adeniyi underscored the importance of diversity within the WCO, remarking: “Our uniqueness is our strength. We must allow that diversity to continue creating opportunities and progress for us.”