Adewale Bashir AdeniyiNigeria’s Reform Momentum Shows Africa’s Readiness to Shape Global Customs Standards – Adeniyi
The Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, Adewale Adeniyi, says his recent election reflects growing confidence in the reform-driven transformation of African Customs administrations, with Nigeria’s modernisation efforts standing out as a strong example of the continent’s readiness to influence global Customs standards.
Speaking in an exclusive WCO Global interview, Adeniyi stated that the trust expressed in him by member nations represents not only a personal honour but also recognition of Nigeria’s progress in aligning its operations, systems, and priorities with international best practices.
Responding during the WCO’s flagship forum, The Customs Exchange: Conversations with Global Customs Leaders, Adeniyi—who is also the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)—said the development is “an endorsement by the global Customs community that we are on track. We have undertaken reforms and modernisation programmes over the last two years, and this validates our direction.”
He noted that Africa’s Customs landscape is evolving rapidly, with many administrations leveraging WCO support to improve trade facilitation, strengthen revenue generation, and enhance border security. Nigeria’s experience, he said, shows how structured reforms built on global frameworks can reposition a national Customs service for greater efficiency.
Adeniyi cited the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme as one of Nigeria’s most transformative initiatives implemented with WCO backing. The scheme, he explained, has reduced cargo clearance times, improved revenue performance, and built trusted partnerships with compliant traders—demonstrating how global standards can yield strong national outcomes when effectively implemented.
He also highlighted other key WCO instruments driving Nigeria’s reform, including the SAFE Framework of Standards, the Time Release Study (TRS), and ongoing work on advance rulings. These, he said, are helping to reshape customs operations and enhance predictability for traders, particularly in developing economies.
Adeniyi described the WCO as a stabilising institution that brings diverse nations together around shared priorities such as economic prosperity, national security, and environmental sustainability. His election, he affirmed, is both a personal honour and a recognition of the Nigeria Customs Service’s dedication to continuous reform.
He added that the appointment validates Nigeria’s efforts to align its priorities with those of the global Customs community. “It is an endorsement that we are on track and committed to the standards and aspirations of the World Customs Organisation,” he said.
As the first Nigerian to chair the WCO Council in nearly 20 years, Adeniyi acknowledged the responsibility his leadership places on Nigeria and the wider African region. He pledged to use the platform to strengthen Africa’s voice in global Customs governance and promote inclusive decision-making.
He encouraged member administrations to embrace diversity, describing it as the organisation’s greatest strength. “Our uniqueness is our strength,” he said. “We must continue to let this diversity create opportunities and drive progress for the global Customs community.”
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2025-12-05