…as global trade institutions recognise Nigeria’s customs reform as model for Africa
By Nkechi Eze
The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has commended the leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) under the Comptroller-General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for the significant progress made in modernising Nigeria’s customs processes and aligning them with global trade facilitation standards.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 145th and 146th Sessions of the Customs Co-operation Council, held on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Headquarters in Brussels, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala highlighted the NCS’s strides in automation, compliance, and digital transformation as exemplary for the African continent.
Delivering the keynote address at the event which drew customs chiefs and trade experts from across the globe, the WTO Director-General acknowledged the bold steps taken by Nigeria in deploying technology, strengthening border procedures, and improving operational efficiency under CGC Adeniyi’s stewardship.
According to her, “The leadership of Comptroller-General Adeniyi has positioned Nigeria as a model for customs modernisation across Africa. These efforts are critical to strengthening global trade and ensuring that customs administrations contribute meaningfully to economic development.”
She further stressed the need for customs administrations globally to pay greater attention to technical but critical areas such as rules of origin, customs valuation, and seamless documentation, noting that effective trade facilitation cannot be achieved without clarity and cooperation on these fundamental processes.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s remarks were received with enthusiasm, particularly by the Nigerian delegation. In a side interaction with the WTO chief, CGC Bashir Adeniyi expressed deep appreciation for the global recognition of the NCS’s reform agenda. He described the endorsement by Dr. Okonjo-Iweala as a timely validation of the efforts currently being implemented across the Service.
“We are honoured by the kind words of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a global icon and an advocate for inclusive trade,” Adeniyi stated. “Her recognition of our efforts is not only humbling but also energising. It affirms that the reforms we have embarked upon particularly in areas of automation, transparency, institutional capacity, and innovative leadership are well aligned with international best practices. As we modernise our processes and embrace smarter solutions to enhance legitimate trade facilitation, we are also committed to rallying Customs administrations across Africa to fully support the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).”
The Customs boss reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to play a leading role in deepening regional integration and removing trade bottlenecks through a more dynamic, technology-driven Customs system. He noted that improving clearance times, simplifying customs procedures, and investing in officer capacity-building remain top priorities for his administration.
Adeniyi also expressed strong support for the deepening partnership between the World Customs Organisation and the World Trade Organisation, which was recently formalised through a landmark Memorandum of Understanding signed in January 2025. The MoU offers a formal framework for cooperation in key trade-related areas including customs valuation, rules of origin, and technical assistance.
“We commend WCO Secretary General, Mr. Ian Saunders, for his visionary leadership and for reinforcing synergies between our global institutions,” Adeniyi remarked. “Nigeria is fully aligned with the objectives of this partnership and remains committed to implementing reforms that support transparent, secure, and efficient trade flows.”
The Nigeria Customs Service believes that the enhanced collaboration between WTO and WCO will significantly benefit developing countries like Nigeria by providing both technical support and strategic guidance to drive ongoing reforms in trade governance.
This latest international endorsement adds to the growing list of accolades the NCS has received in recent times for its commitment to transformation and excellence in service delivery. Under CGC Adeniyi’s leadership, the Service has launched a raft of initiatives aimed at repositioning Customs for 21st-century trade dynamics, while also prioritising national economic growth and security.
