Exactly two years after his historic appointment as the Comptroller-General of Customs by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR during a high-level meeting of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council at Brussels in June 2023, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR has been unanimously elected as Chairperson of the WCO Council, the highest decision-making body in global customs administration.
The election was held during the concluding session of the 145th/146th WCO Council Meetings held on Saturday, 28th June 2025, at the WCO Headquarters in Brussels.
CGC Adeniyi succeeds Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service, and becomes the first Nigerian to hold this prestigious office since the WCO’s establishment.
Reacting to the appointment, CGC Adeniyi expressed profound appreciation to the Council members for the confidence reposed in his leadership, describing the moment as both humbling and historic for Nigeria and the African Customs community at large.
“This honour is not mine alone, it reflects the collective progress of the Nigeria Customs Service and the transformative agenda we’ve pursued over the past two years,” he stated. “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.”
CGC Adeniyi also expressed gratitude to the Council for electing him the Chairperson. He pledged unwavering support for the World Customs Organisation’s ongoing modernisation efforts and affirmed his commitment to implementing its 2025–2028 strategic plan.
“We are entering a critical phase in the evolution of global trade, where customs must balance facilitation with enforcement, transparency with innovation, and sovereignty with cooperation,” Adeniyi added. “I intend to work closely with member administrations and stakeholders to position the WCO as a dynamic, forward-looking institution fit for today’s challenges.”
CGC further acknowledged the commendable work of his predecessor, Edward Kieswetter, for the guidance and stability provided to the Council. He noted that his leadership laid a solid foundation upon which current reforms can thrive. The CGC further expressed optimism towards the coming sessions of the Council, affirming his readiness to facilitate meaningful dialogue and progress among the global customs community.
The WCO Council is the organisation’s supreme governing body, established by the Convention on the Establishment of a Customs Co-operation Council. Its core mandate promotes 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, CGC Adeniyi is expected to provide strategic leadership to the WCO Policy Commission, steering the global customs agenda and facilitating high-level discussions on trade facilitation, revenue optimisation, security, cross-border cooperation, and digital transformation.
He will also work closely with the WCO Secretary-General, Mr. Ian Saunders, and the WCO Secretariat to ensure implementation of the organisation’s Strategic Plan, while championing greater inclusivity, capacity development, and sustainability in customs operations, particularly for developing countries.
The Chairperson also plays a key diplomatic role, representing the WCO at high-level global fora and strengthening relationships with external partners such as the Private Sector Consultative Group (PSCG), international donor bodies, and multilateral trade institutions.
Shortly after the Council Session, in a symbolic moment that captured the significance of Nigeria’s ascension, the South African flag was respectfully lowered while the Nigerian flag was hoisted at the WCO headquarters, a powerful gesture signifying Nigeria’s leadership as Chair of the Council. The scene was met with applause from delegates, affirming Nigeria’s growing influence in global customs affairs and marking a proud moment for the continent.
Under CG Adeniyi’s chairmanship, Nigeria is poised to drive customs reform conversations across the Global South, especially in areas like AfCFTA implementation, illicit trade suppression, and technology adoption.
