President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, after Adeniyi won a unanimous re-election as chair of the World Customs Organisation council during sessions in Brussels.
In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, his Special Adviser on information and strategy, President Tinubu described the re-election as a “historic endorsement” of Adeniyi’s leadership and a sign of Nigeria’s rising profile in global customs administration.
President Tinubu said his recent approval of an extension to Adeniyi’s tenure at the Nigeria Customs Service reflected a desire to preserve momentum behind reform efforts within the agency.
He pointed to the international backing for Adeniyi as validation of reforms aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, modernizing operations and positioning Nigeria among leading customs services worldwide.
Under Adeniyi’s stewardship, the customs service has reported gains in revenue collection, trade facilitation and anti-smuggling operations, alongside improved border management and stakeholder engagement, the statement said.
The President highlighted the rollout of B’Odogwu, a domestic customs-clearance platform, as a central innovation one that officials say has simplified cargo processing, reduced reliance on foreign systems and boosted transparency.
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President Tinubu also praised the service’s expansion of non-intrusive inspection technology, broader interagency collaboration and the adoption of the Authorised Economic Operator programme, additions he said keep Nigeria aligned with international standards.
“Adeniyi’s unanimous re-election is not only a personal honour to Adeniyi but also a recognition of Nigeria’s growing influence in global customs administration,” the statement quoted Tinubu as saying.
“His leadership … has been marked by bold initiatives that have improved revenue generation, strengthened border security, facilitated legitimate trade, and modernised customs operations through homegrown innovations such as B’Odogwu.”
President Tinubu expressed confidence that Adeniyi’s second term at the WCO will deepen international cooperation and advance secure, efficient global trade, and he wished the customs chief “continued wisdom, strength and success” as he implements his renewed mandate.
