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In the course of writing this column, I frantically searched for an appropriate quote to buttress a point and fortunately and I found one in a Holy book.
To celebrate outstanding achievements or actions of some individuals, they are often honoured with awards and accolades by different organisations. The Comptroller-General of Customs, CG Bashir Adewale Adeniyi stands out in that regard. He is one of such persons who at every juncture, are celebrated and honoured for sterling performance and achievements. CG Adeniyi is a humble officer with a humble beginning. He is an achiever who has served the Customs selflessly without blemish but with distinction, dedication, purpose and the fear of God.
In the course of his Customs career, CG Adeniyi had served as the spokesman of the service having been appointed to that position by the late CG Abdullahi Dikko. It was as the Customs image maker that the humble, hardworking and honest officer who would later rise to the pinnacle of his career melted the hearts of his superiors, particularly the late CG Dikko, with a rare act of integrity, candour and transparency.The Customs had intercepted and seized $8.07 million cash being illegally taking out of Nigeria through the E-Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport tarmac, Ikeja, Lagos and the task of supervising the seizure fell squarely on Adeniyi’s shoulders. And he rose to the occasion, giving a good account of his professionalism and integrity. Were he a rogue, greedy, dishonest officer or an integrity- challenged officer, it wouldn’t have been much of a problem for Adeniyi to carefully pilfer the cash seizure without being detected or noticed. But true to his God fearing nature and trademark-honesty, he dutiful and professionally carried out the assignment and delivered the cash seizure without controversy or dent.
Those who have followed Adeniyi’s career trajectory agree that in settling for him for the CG job, President Bola Tinubu made an excellent choice.
Recall that upon his election as President in 2023, Tinubu scrutinized the list of senior Customs officers and found Adewale the most suitable for the topmost Customs job and subsequently appointed him as the seventh Comptroller-General of Customs.Barely one year into his appointment, Adeniyi surpassed the revenue generation record of his successors, achieved milestones and strides never before achieved by any Customs CG. These exhilarating achievements, as expected, earned him presidential commendation as President Tinubu recently openly acknowledged and applauded him his efforts . According to the president, “I am pleased to note that the Nigeria Customs Service is one of the agencies that has risen to this expectation, demonstrating how government institutions can effectively contribute to our economic transformation agenda while fulfilling their core mandates.
“This alignment is clearly demonstrated in the Service’s comprehensive modernization agenda. In responding to our administration’s call for enhanced trade facilitation and economic growth, the Service has introduced significant reforms including the Advanced Ruling system and the Authorised Economic Operator Program. These initiatives, which align with global best practices, show how agencies can innovatively implement solutions that advance our national economic objectives while meeting international standards.
“Such reforms not only enhance trade facilitation but also create a more predictable business environment that supports our broader economic goals”
Apart from from the President’s effusive praises on CG Adeniyi, international Customs stakeholders, operators and agencies were also keenly monitoring the salutary leadership of the Nigerian Customs boss and have also returned a verdict of commendation and adulation on him.
It is noteworthy that under CG Adeniyi, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has experienced a significant surge in revenue generation. In the first quarter of 2025, the service collected a record-breaking ₦1.3 trillion, which is more than double the ₦600 billion collected during the same period in 2023. This substantial increase is attributed to President Tinubu’s reforms and the service’s improved operational efficiency.
It is to the credit of CG Adeniyi that corruption has been drastically reduced in the Nigerian Customs .Today, Customs officers are synonymous with dedication, integrity, transparency and professionalism- virtues that are hitherto alien to them. It is heartwarming that in the place of disparaging comments, the Nigerian Customs under CG Adeniyi now enjoys public applause and commendation.
In recognition of his unparalleled strides, CG Adeniyi has received a plethora of honours and awards. He was, for example, one of the notable receipients of the prestigious 2024 SUN Newspaper award which was bestowed on him for his visionary and innovative leadership and contributions to national development. CG Adeniyi embodies the Yoruba adage: “Ati lie in ati nko eso re ode” which when translated into English or juxtaposed with one of the immortal lines of sir Thomas Browne, an English writer and British physician, approximates to, “Charity begins at home but should not end there”. This, perhaps, explains why the Nigerian Customs boss is currently shining on the global stage.
Impressed by CG Adeniyi’s superlative performance in Nigeria, international Customs stakeholders last month wasted no time in unanimously electing him as the president of the World Customs Organisation, WCO Council, which is the highest decision-making body in global Customs administration.
CG Adeniyi was elected during the concluding session of the 145th/146th WCO Council meeting held on Saturday, 28th June 2025, at the WCO Headquarters in Brussel.
By his election. CG Adeniyi has brought honour, prestige and integrity to Nigeria at a time the
American President, Donald Trump is engaged in a trade war with 14 countries including Nigeria. Under CG Adeniyi, Nigeria’s flag now flies proudly on the global Customs stage.
In a symbolic and solemn moment, shortly after CG Adeniyi was elected the WCO president, the South African flag was respectfully lowered and the Nigerian flag hoisted at the WCO headquarters, a powerful gesture signifying Nigeria’s leadership as Chair of the Council. That moment was met with thunderous applause from delegates, affirming Nigeria’s growing influence in global Customs affairs.
According to an unknown author, “True recognition is not about applause, it’s about the acknowledgment of effort” .As a team player, CG Adeniyi recognizes the importance of team playing and collective responsibility which have been the hallmark of his leadership. He has the presence of mind to recognize that such team work helped him in re-positioning the Nigerian customs into a respected, efficient, goal-driven and credible paramilitary outfit and huge income- generating service.
Putting into cognisance what he has achieved in the Nigerian Customs through team work, shortly after his election as WCO president, CG Adeniyi pledged to carry every stakeholder along during his tenure to ensure the organisation achieve its goals. His words: “I 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”
It is my considered view that CG Adeniyi’s deserving election as WCO leaves us, Nigerians, and the country’s security agencies, with one lesson: Their activities- good or bad attract attention at the global stage as the world is now a global village. Good a thing, some security agencies in Nigeria are respected and noted abroad for excellent performance when on international assignment. CG Adeniyi’s WCO feat calls for national celebration because his impecable career records came handy and played a role in his election.
I believe, as patriotic Nigerian and as someone who has been following CG Adeniyi’s giant strides, that the Nigerian Customs boss embodies the type of leader the Christian Holy Book, the Bible talked about in Thessalonians 5:12-13:
“We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work.”
Let’s celebrate him. Let’s acknowledge him for he has done Nigeria proud, he has brought glory and honour to our country!
Seacurity Tips:
•With the growing rate on unemployment in the country, it has been observed that criminalities of various grade-burglary, kidnapping, highway robbery, ritual murder, Advanced Fee Fraud popular as 419 etc- are on the increase.Vigilante groups should therefore, be at an alert at all times while collaborating with the police and other security agencies to nip crimes in the bud.
•Car owners should avoid leaving their car particulars in the car
•Secure the picture of your driver licence, home address and details of his guarantor
•Don’t allow your children trek a long distanace without being accompanied to avoid kidnapping
•Avoid entertaining visitors at night when there is no light in your home
•Always ensure your car is well locked including the boot , if necessary install car alarm system
