President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on his unanimous re-election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation Council during the organisation’s 147th and 148th Council Sessions in Brussels.
President Tinubu described the re-election as a historic endorsement of Adeniyi’s visionary leadership and Nigeria’s growing stature in global customs administration. He said his recent approval of Adeniyi’s tenure extension as Comptroller-General of Customs was driven by his conviction that the reform momentum within the Nigeria Customs Service must be sustained.
The President, according to a press statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the overwhelming endorsement by the international customs community validates Adeniyi’s leadership in consolidating reforms, strengthening institutional capacity, modernising customs administration and positioning the Nigeria Customs Service among the world’s leading customs institutions.
He said under Adeniyi’s stewardship, the Service has recorded significant progress in revenue generation, trade facilitation, anti-smuggling operations, border management, stakeholder engagement and technology-driven reform.
President Tinubu particularly commended the deployment of B’Odogwu, Nigeria’s indigenous customs clearance platform, which he said is simplifying cargo clearance processes, reducing reliance on foreign systems, improving transparency and operational efficiency, and supporting the Federal Government’s drive for a more competitive, technology-driven economy.
“Adeniyi’s unanimous re-election is not only a personal honour to him, but also a recognition of Nigeria’s growing influence in global customs administration,” the President said.
“His leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service has been marked by bold initiatives that have improved revenue generation, strengthened border security, facilitated legitimate trade and modernised customs operations through home-grown innovations such as B’Odogwu.”
President Tinubu added: “I am confident that his second term at the WCO will further deepen international collaboration, promote secure and efficient global trade, and bring even greater honour to our country.”
The President wished Adeniyi continued wisdom, strength and success as he undertakes the responsibilities of his renewed global mandate while sustaining the transformation of the Nigeria Customs Service.