By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has presided over his first meeting as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, steering the 93rd Session of the Policy Commission in Antigua, Guatemala, and deepening Nigeria’s visibility in global customs governance.
The session, held from 2 to 4 December 2025 at the historic Hotel Soleil, drew Heads of Customs Administrations and senior delegates from across the WCO’s six regions.
Opening the proceedings, CGC Adeniyi welcomed participants to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Antigua Guatemala, paying tribute to customs officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty and urging delegates to engage constructively on issues shaping the global customs landscape.
He was joined at the occasion by WCO Secretary General Ian Saunders and Guatemala’s Vice Minister of Public Finance, Honourable Patricia Joachin, who delivered remarks on behalf of the host government.
The gathering was further enriched by the cultural heritage of the host nation, with delegates hosted to a traditional dinner at the historic Capuchinas Ruins.
It will be recalled that CGC Adeniyi’s election as WCO Council Chair in June 2025 was widely regarded as a milestone for Nigeria and the African continent, placing the country at the helm of an organisation with 187 member administrations.
While reflecting on the significance of his mandate, CGC Adeniyi said the position comes with “a major responsibility for Nigeria and for Africa,” adding that the objective is to provide quality leadership that strengthens global trade, security, and inclusive customs governance.
His comments echo remarks made earlier in an exclusive WCO Global interview on The Customs Exchange: Conversations with Global Customs Leaders, where he described his election as a validation of Nigeria’s ongoing customs reforms.
According to him, the confidence expressed in his leadership is “an endorsement by the global customs community that we are on track,” drawing attention to the Service’s modernisation efforts over the past two years, including procedural upgrades, systems alignment and strengthened collaboration with international partners.
He highlighted Nigeria’s Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, developed with WCO support, as one of the country’s most transformative reforms.
The initiative, he said, has shortened clearance timelines, improved revenue outcomes and deepened trust between Customs and compliant traders.
He also referenced the SAFE Framework of Standards, the Time Release Study (TRS), and the ongoing work on advance rulings as further evidence of Nigeria’s alignment with international best practices.
Adeniyi called for deeper cooperation among customs administrations and emphasised diversity as one of the WCO’s greatest strengths, saying, “Our uniqueness is our strength. We must allow that diversity to continue creating opportunities and progress for us.”
