President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, on his unanimous re-election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation Council.
Adeniyi secured a second term during the organisation’s 147th and 148th council sessions in Brussels, Belgium.
In a statement on Friday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described the re-election as a historic endorsement of Adeniyi’s leadership and Nigeria’s rising profile in global customs administration.
The president said his decision to recently extend Adeniyi’s tenure as Comptroller-General was driven by the need to sustain the ongoing reforms within the Nigeria Customs Service.
He said the international customs community’s overwhelming support validates Adeniyi’s efforts in strengthening institutional capacity, modernising customs administration and positioning the Nigeria Customs Service among the world’s leading customs institutions.
Tinubu noted that the service had recorded notable achievements under Adeniyi’s leadership in revenue generation, trade facilitation, anti-smuggling operations, border management, stakeholder engagement and technology-driven reforms.
He also commended the deployment of the indigenous B’Odogwu customs clearance platform, saying it had simplified cargo clearance, enhanced transparency, improved operational efficiency and reduced reliance on foreign systems.
The president further praised the implementation of the Authorised Economic Operator Programme, the expansion of non-intrusive inspection technology, stronger inter-agency collaboration and continued compliance with international customs standards.
“Adeniyi’s unanimous re-election is not only a personal honour to Adeniyi, but also a recognition of Nigeria’s growing influence in global customs administration.
“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 homegrown innovations such as B’Odogwu.
“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,” President Tinubu said.
According to him, Adeniyi’s re-election reflected Nigeria’s growing influence in global customs administration and expressed confidence that his second term would deepen international cooperation, promote secure and efficient global trade and further enhance the country’s reputation.
He further wished the Customs boss success in his renewed international assignment while urging him to sustain the ongoing transformation of the Nigeria Customs Service.
(The Whistler)