By Nkechi Eze
Nigeria’s global customs profile received another major boost as the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, chaired his first meeting of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Policy Commission, presiding over the 93rd Session of the body in Antigua, Guatemala, and reinforcing the country’s rising influence in international customs governance.
The high-level session, held from 2 to 4 December 2025 at the historic Hotel Soleil in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Antigua Guatemala, convened Heads of Customs Administrations and senior delegates from all six WCO regions. The gathering served as a critical forum for shaping conversations around global trade facilitation, security, and multilateral customs cooperation.
Declaring the meeting open, CGC Adeniyi welcomed participants to Guatemala’s cultural landmark city, paying tribute to customs officers worldwide who have lost their lives in the line of duty. He urged delegates to engage constructively and with a sense of shared purpose as they deliberated on issues central to strengthening international customs architecture.
Adeniyi was joined by the WCO Secretary General, Ian Saunders, and Guatemala’s Vice Minister of Public Finance, Hon. Patricia Joachin, who delivered remarks on behalf of the host government. The session also enjoyed rich cultural immersion, with participants hosted to a traditional Guatemalan dinner at the historic Capuchinas Ruins, adding depth to the diplomatic and technical engagements of the Policy Commission.
CGC Adeniyi’s election as Chairperson of the WCO Council in June 2025 placing Nigeria at the head of an organisation with 187 member administrations has been widely celebrated across the African continent as a milestone for the region’s representation in global customs governance. The 93rd Session therefore marked his first official outing in the role, symbolising both continuity and renewed commitment to inclusive and modern customs leadership.
Reflecting on the significance of his mandate, Adeniyi reiterated that the position carries “a major responsibility for Nigeria and for Africa,” stressing that his focus is to provide quality leadership that advances global trade, strengthens supply chain security, and promotes fairness in customs administration worldwide.
His address echoed insights he shared 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 customs reforms. According to him, the confidence expressed in his leadership is “an endorsement by the global customs community that we are on track,” pointing to the Nigeria Customs Service’s modernisation strides over the past two years.
He highlighted the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme developed in partnership with the WCO as one of Nigeria’s most transformative reforms, citing its impact on clearance timelines, revenue optimisation, and enhanced trust between Customs and compliant operators. Adeniyi also referenced the Service’s adoption of the SAFE Framework of Standards, its implementation of the Time Release Study (TRS), and ongoing work on advance rulings as further evidence of Nigeria’s alignment with global best practices.
Speaking on the broader role of the WCO, Adeniyi underscored the importance of collaboration among customs administrations and celebrated diversity as one of the organisation’s defining assets. “Our uniqueness is our strength. We must allow that diversity to continue creating opportunities and progress for us,” he said, reaffirming his commitment to a leadership style grounded in inclusivity, innovation, and shared global responsibility.
