By Stella Odueme
Exactly two years after his historic appointment as the Comptroller-General of Customs by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a high-level meeting of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council at Brussels in June 2023, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has been unanimously elected as Chairperson of the WCO Council, the highest decision-making body in global customs administration.
The election was held during the concluding session of the 145th/146th WCO Council Meetings held on Saturday, 28th June 2025, at the WCO Headquarters in Brussels.
CGC Adeniyi succeeds Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service, and becomes the first Nigerian to hold this prestigious office since the WCO’s establishment.
Reacting to the appointment, CGC Adeniyi expressed profound appreciation to the Council members for the confidence reposed in his leadership, describing the moment as both humbling and historic for Nigeria and the African Customs community at large.
“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 stated. “As Chairperson, I pledge to uphold the core values of the WCO, while promoting innovation, equity, and deeper collaboration among member states in response to the complex realities of global trade.”
CGC Adeniyi also expressed gratitude to the Council for electing him the Chairperson. He pledged unwavering support for the World Customs Organisation’s ongoing modernisation efforts and affirmed his commitment to implementing its 2025–2028 strategic plan.
“We are entering a critical phase in the evolution of global trade, where customs must balance facilitation with enforcement, transparency with innovation, and sovereignty with cooperation.
“I intend to work closely with member administrations and stakeholders to position the WCO as a dynamic, forward-looking institution fit for today’s challenges.” he said.
A statement on Sunday said that the
CGC acknowledged the commendable work of his predecessor, Edward Kieswetter, for the guidance and stability provided to the Council, noting that his leadership laid a solid foundation upon which current reforms can thrive.
