Abuja, Nigeria: The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has been elected as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), marking a significant milestone as the first Nigerian to assume the role since the body’s inception.
His election was announced in a statement released Saturday by the NCS National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada. Adeniyi was chosen during the 145th/146th sessions of the WCO Council held at the organisation’s headquarters in Brussels.
The development comes two years after his appointment as Nigeria’s Comptroller-General of Customs by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a move widely recognised for setting a reform-focused trajectory for the NCS.
Adeniyi succeeds Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service, and will now lead the WCO Council — the organisation’s highest decision-making body — which oversees customs policy across its 185 member administrations.
In his acceptance remarks, Adeniyi described the election as a humbling and historic moment for Nigeria and the broader African customs community. He expressed gratitude to WCO members for their confidence in his leadership and reaffirmed his commitment to promoting innovation, equity, and deeper global cooperation.
“This honour is not mine alone; it reflects the collective progress of the NCS and the reform agenda we have championed,” he said. “I pledge to uphold the core values of the WCO and to support a dynamic, forward-looking vision for global customs.”
Adeniyi further affirmed his commitment to implementing the WCO’s 2025–2028 strategic plan, noting the importance of balancing trade facilitation with enforcement and embracing digital transformation in a rapidly evolving global trade environment.
He also paid tribute to his predecessor, Kieswetter, for providing steady leadership and laying a strong foundation for current reforms. Adeniyi emphasized the importance of continued dialogue and collaboration among member countries to advance the WCO’s objectives.
The WCO Council, established under the Convention on the Establishment of a Customs Co-operation Council, is responsible for setting global customs policies and promoting harmonised practices among its members. As Chairperson, Adeniyi will lead the WCO’s Policy Commission and steer discussions on key issues including trade facilitation, revenue optimisation, security, and cross-border cooperation.
By Taiwo Olatinwo/ June 28,2025
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