by George Ozalla
The Comptroller‑General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, presided over his first meeting as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council by steering the 93rd Session of its Policy Commission held from December 2 to 4, 2025 in Antigua, Guatemala. The session brought together heads of customs administrations and senior delegates from the WCO’s six regions.
During the opening, Adeniyi welcomed participants to the historic city of Antigua Guatemala. He paid tribute to customs officers who had lost their lives in the line of duty and urged delegates to engage constructively on matters shaping the global customs landscape. He was joined on the podium by WCO Secretary‑General Ian Saunders and Guatemala’s Vice Minister of Public Finance, Patricia Joachin, who delivered remarks on behalf of the host government.
At a traditional dinner held in the historic Capuchinas Ruins, the gathering enjoyed the cultural heritage of the host nation, fostering camaraderie among delegates.
Adeniyi’s election in June 2025 as WCO Council Chair was widely hailed as a milestone for Nigeria and the African customs community. As Chair, he pledged to provide leadership that strengthens global trade, security, and inclusive customs governance. He described his election as validation of Nigeria’s ongoing customs reforms, pointing out improvements undertaken by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) over the past two years, including procedural upgrades, system alignments, and strengthened collaboration with international partners.
He identified Nigeria’s Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme — developed with WCO support — as one of the most transformative reforms, highlighting its role in shortening clearance timelines, improving revenue outcomes, and rebuilding trust between Customs and compliant traders. Adeniyi also referenced the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards, the Time Release Study (TRS), and ongoing work on advance rulings as further evidence that Nigeria is aligning its operations with global best practices. He called on customs administrations worldwide to deepen cooperation and celebrated diversity across member states, suggesting the variety of customs challenges and contexts can be a strength if harnessed properly.
Adeniyi’s assumption of the WCO chairmanship places Nigeria at the forefront of global customs governance and underscores the growing influence of the NCS on the world stage. The NCS now faces heightened expectations to translate this global standing into concrete reforms at home, improving trade facilitation, border security, and revenue administration in line with international standards.
Background: The WCO is the leading global body for customs cooperation, with 187 member administrations worldwide. The NCS has in recent years pursued a modernisation agenda aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency, and trader confidence. The AEO programme, SAF E Framework adoption, and other reforms are part of broader efforts to reposition Nigeria as a pivotal actor in global trade and continental economic integration.
