President Tinubu Felicitates Customs CG, Adeniyi on WCO Council Chairmanship 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on his election as the Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council.

Thelensng reports that CGC Adeniyi was unanimously elected Chairperson during the concluding session of the 145th/146th WCO Council Meetings held at the WCO Headquarters in Brussels on Saturday, June 28, 2025.

In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu commended the achievement of the Customs boss, saying, “Adeniyi made history as the first Nigerian to head the 73-year-old organisation, which has 186 member countries and is the highest decision-making body in global customs administration.

“President Tinubu congratulates Adeniyi, the Board, management and staff of the NCS on the recognition. The President believes that the hoisting of the Nigerian flag at the WCO headquarters in Brussels marks a significant milestone. It is the first time the flag has been raised at the organisation’s headquarters since its founding in 1952.”

The President noted that this event demonstrates the dynamism of the leadership provided by Adeniyi, who has been the head of the NCS since his appointment two years ago.

He affirmed that Adeniyi‘s management has increased revenue collections, consistently surpassing budgetary targets, improved relations with various stakeholders, modernised operations, and digitalised processes for effectiveness in the last two years.

“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.

He expressed gratitude to the Secretary-General, Mr. Ian Saunders and other WCO leaders for unanimously electing the NCS boss, and assured that his government will support Adeniyi’s leadership of the Council.

The statement added: “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.”