*Tinubu hails election
WorldStage Newsonline– The Comptroller-General (C-G) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi has been elected as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council.
NCS spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday said the election took place during the concluding session of the 145th/146th WCO Council meeting held at the WCO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
Adeniyi succeeds Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service, and becomes the first Nigerian to hold the prestigious office since the WCO’s establishment.
The WCO Council is the highest decision-making body in global customs administration.
It comprises the heads of customs administrations from all WCO member countries and is responsible for setting the organisation’s strategic direction, adopting international customs standards, and overseeing the implementation of its policies.
Reacting to the appointment, Adeniyi thanked the Council members for the confidence placed in his leadership, describing the moment as both humbling and historic for Nigeria and the broader African customs community.
The Chairperson stated that the new position reflected the collective progress of the NCS and the transformative agenda the service had pursued over the past two years.
He assured the council of his commitment to upholding the core values of the WCO and fostering partnerships to facilitate global trade
“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,” he said.
He pledged unwavering support for the WCO’s ongoing modernisation efforts and reaffirmed his commitment to implementing its 2025 to 2028 Strategic Plan.
According to him, the WCO is entering a critical phase in the evolution of global trade, one in which customs administrations must balance facilitation with enforcement, transparency with innovation, and sovereignty with cooperation.
He assured that he would work closely with member administrations and stakeholders to position the WCO as a dynamic, forward-looking institution equipped to meet the evolving challenges of the global trade environment.
The Chairperson acknowledged his predecessor, Edward Kieswetter, for laying a solid foundation on which current reforms can thrive.
He expressed optimism about the upcoming Council sessions and affirmed his readiness to facilitate meaningful dialogue and progress within the global customs community.
WCO Council was established by the Convention on the Establishment of a Customs Co-operation Council with core mandate of 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 185 member states.
As chairperson, Adeniyi is expected to provide strategic leadership to the WCO Policy Commission.
He is also to steer the global customs agenda and facilitate high-level discussions on trade facilitation, revenue optimisation, security, cross-border cooperation, and digital transformation.
According to the NCS spokesperson, under Adeniyi’s administration, Nigeria is poised to drive customs reform discussions across the Global South.
This, he said, is particularly in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), suppression of illicit trade, and adoption of modern technology.
Maiwada said that the NCS boss would also work closely with the WCO Secretary-General, Mr Ian Saunders, and the WCO Secretariat to ensure implementation of the organisation’s Strategic Plan.
He added that the new chairperson would champion greater inclusivity, capacity development, and sustainability in customs operations, particularly for developing countries.
TINUBU HAILS ELECTION
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, on his election as Chairperson of the WCO Council.
The congratulatory message is contained in a statement by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday in Abuja.
Tinubu extended congratulations to Adeniyi, the NCS board, management, and staff for attaining global recognition and honour.
He described the hoisting of Nigeria’s flag at the WCO headquarters as a significant milestone for the nation.
“I congratulate the Customs boss for bringing pride and validation to our country and economic reforms,” President Tinubu said.
He urged Adeniyi to meet, and even surpass, the expectations of the WCO Council in his new global leadership role.
The President also thanked the WCO Secretary-General and Council members for their unanimous support for Adeniyi’s candidacy.
He assured the international community that his administration would support Adeniyi’s stewardship of the Council.
Adeniyi succeeds Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service, as Chairperson of the WCO Council.
He will officially assume duties on July 1 and begin leading the international customs body.
