This is a landmark achievement for  Nigeria, as the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, has been elected Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), the premier decision-making body overseeing global customs operations.

This significant announcement was made in a statement Saturday by Abdullahi Maiwada, the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service. Adeniyi’s election took place during the 145th/146th WCO Council meeting held at the organisation’s headquarters in Brussels.

Notably, this appointment comes exactly two years after Adeniyi’s historic nomination as the Customs Coordinating Commissioner by Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu. He succeeds Edward Kieswetter, the Commissioner of South African Revenue Service, becoming the first Nigerian to hold this prestigious position since the WCO’s founding.

Expressing his gratitude, Adeniyi responded to the trust placed in him by the council members, describing the moment as both humbling and a moment of national pride. He emphasized that the appointment reflects the collective progress of Nigeria’s Customs Service and the transformative reforms undertaken over the past two years.

“This honour is not mine alone; it’s a reflection of Nigeria’s strides and the unity of the African Customs Community. I am committed to upholding the core values of the WCO, fostering innovation, promoting equity, and encouraging closer collaboration among member states to meet the complex challenges of global trade,” Adeniyi stated.

He also reaffirmed his support for the WCO’s ongoing modernisation initiatives, pledging to work towards the implementation of its strategic plan for 2025–2028. “As global trade rapidly evolves, customs agencies must strike a balance between facilitation and enforcement, transparency and innovation, sovereignty and cooperation. I look forward to working closely with member nations and stakeholders to position the WCO as a dynamic, forward-looking institution,” he added.

Adeniyi paid tribute to his predecessor, Edward Kieswetter, recognising his leadership and stability, which laid a solid foundation for current reforms. He expressed optimism about the future, emphasising his readiness to foster meaningful dialogue and progress within the global customs community.

The WCO Council, established by the Convention on Establishing a Customs Co-operation Council, is the organisation’s highest governing body. Its primary mandate is to promote uniformity, modernisation, and best practices among customs administrations worldwide. All WCO working bodies report directly to the council, which guides operations across its 185 member states.

As Chairperson, Adeniyi is expected to steer key initiatives, including trade facilitation, revenue enhancement, security, cross-border cooperation, and the digital transformation of customs processes, marking a new chapter not only for Nigerian customs but for the entire global trade landscape.