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As Tinubu Hails NCS Boss over Historical Feat
- Safiu Kehinde
The Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi, has emerged as first ever Nigerian to head the World Customs Organisation (WCO).
Following his unanimous election on Saturday in Brussels, Adeniyi made history as the first Nigerian Chairperson of the WCO Council since its 73 years of existence.
The organisation which has 186 member countries is the highest decision-making body in global customs administration.
Reacting to the development in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu hailed Adeniyi for the remarkable feat.
Tinubu congratulated the Board, management and staff of the NCS on the recognition.
The President, according to Onanuga, held that the hoisting of the Nigerian flag at the WCO headquarters in Brussels marks a significant milestone as it will be the first time the flag has been raised at the organisation’s headquarters since its founding in 1952.
“I congratulate the Customs boss for bringing pride and validation to our country and the economic reforms. I urge the new Chairperson of the WCO to live up to the expectation of the WCO Council and even surpass it,” the President said.
Tinubu thanked the Secretary-General and WCO leaders for unanimously electing the Nigerian Customs boss and assures that his government will support his leadership of the Council.
The event, according to the statement, demonstrated the dynamism of the leadership provided by Adeniyi, who has been the head of NCS since his appointment two years ago.
In two years, Adeniyi reportedly increased revenue collections, consistently surpassing budgetary targets, improved relations with various stakeholders, modernised operations and digitalised processes for effectiveness.
CGC Adeniyi, who takes over the leadership of the Council of WCO from Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service, will officially begin guiding the global institution on July 1, 2025.
The WCO Council, the organisation’s supreme governing body, plays a crucial role in promoting uniformity, modernisation, and global best practices among customs administrations.
All WCO working bodies report to the Council, whose policy decisions guide the operations of customs administrations across its 186 member states.