In a moment of historic pride and strategic opportunity, the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday expressed delight in the election of the Nigeria’s Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi as the Chairman of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council, marking a global milestone in trade and customs leadership.
The upper legislative chamber applauded the move as a diplomatic breakthrough with Nigeria now providing leadership for 186 countries on global customs policy.
It also described the feat as a “transformational moment,” crediting Nigeria’s digital reforms, anti-smuggling efforts, and improved revenue performance adding that under Adeniyi, the NCS has consistently beaten revenue targets, modernized customs processes, and gained international praise, including from @NOIweala at the WTO.
The announcement, which was made during plenary by the senate committee chairman on Customs, Senator Isah Jibrin Echocho (Kogi East), was met with resounding applause as lawmakers commended the appointment as a game-changing testament to Nigeria’s growing international stature.
“This is not just an honour — it’s a validation,” said Senator Echocho, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Customs and former customs officer. “Adeniyi’s emergence is rooted in deep reforms, modernisation, and consistent revenue excellence under his leadership. Nigeria is not only visible but now shaping global trade policy.”
This is the first time in nearly 40 years that a Nigerian will lead the powerful WCO Council — the global governing body overseeing customs administration across 186 countries. The council plays a critical role in steering international trade, cross-border security, and anti-smuggling frameworks.
Senator Echocho revealed that under Adeniyi’s stewardship, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) had consistently exceeded federal revenue targets by up to 20% over the last five years, positioning it as one of the country’s best-performing agencies.
He also recalled that the last time Nigeria held a significant WCO position was in 1985, when Alhaji Abubakar Musa briefly served as a director — not council chair — and for only six months.
“Now, we have not just a seat at the table, but the chair,” he said. “Our flag is flying in Brussels. The world is watching Nigeria, not for corruption or chaos, but for leadership and innovation.”
Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), a former customs officer and senior lawmaker, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that Customs has become a reliable pillar of federal revenue generation and trade reform.
“This is a golden opportunity to lead conversations around fair trade, digital customs, and regional integration under AfCFTA,” Aliero added. “We must invest more in infrastructure and capacity to sustain the momentum.”
Presiding over the session, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau praised the appointment as a clear endorsement of Nigeria’s institutional transformation.
“If the international community didn’t see something good in us, they wouldn’t hand us this role. It reflects well on the reforms of this administration,” Barau said, with a warm jest toward Aliero: “And don’t forget, you wore the customs uniform too. Maybe the next WCO chair is in this chamber.”
Lawmakers agreed that the achievement must go beyond symbolism and called for a national push to leverage the WCO leadership for economic diplomacy, trade equity, and regional customs modernization.
“Let’s not treat this as a trophy but as a lever for deeper impact — to make Nigeria a trade hub and customs innovation leader in Africa and beyond,” Echocho added.
The Senate resolved to continue supporting the Customs Service with legislation and budgetary backing to advance modernization, digital trade security, and continental integration.
As CG Adeniyi assumes global duties at the WCO, Nigeria finds itself not just playing in the global economy — but shaping the rules, leading reforms, and influencing the future of international trade.
