The Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation Council, Dr Adewale Adeniyi, has said that Nigeria’s recent modernisation efforts are serving as a strong example of the continent’s readiness to influence global customs policies.
Adeniyi added that his recent election to the WCO signals broader recognition of the growing reform-driven credibility of African Customs administrations.
According to a statement on Saturday, Adeniyi stated this while speaking during the WCO Global interview session.
Adeniyi said the confidence expressed in him by member nations reflects not only personal honour “but also the significant progress made by Nigeria in aligning its systems, procedures, and priorities with international best practices.”
Fielding questions on the WCO flagship interactive forum tagged The Customs Exchange: Conversations with Global Customs Leaders, Adeniyi, who is also Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, said, “It’s a kind of endorsement by the global customs community that we are on track. We have been undertaking reforms and modernisation programmes in the last two years, and this validates the direction we are taking.”
He noted that Africa’s Customs landscape is rapidly changing, with several administrations leveraging WCO guidance to strengthen trade facilitation, improve revenue outcomes, and enhance border security.
According to him, Nigeria’s experience demonstrates how structured reforms, supported by international frameworks, can reposition a national customs service.
Adeniyi pointed to the Authorised Economic Operator Programme as one of the most transformative initiatives Nigeria has implemented with support from the WCO.
The WCO boss explained that the scheme has reduced clearance times at ports, improved revenue performance, and fostered trusted partnerships with compliant traders, outcomes that reflect the effectiveness of global standards when domesticated with commitment.
He also described the Time Release Study and recent work on advance rulings as additional markers of how global customs programmes can change narratives, especially in developing economies.
Adeniyi underscored the importance of the WCO as a stabilising force for Customs administrations around the world, stressing that its ability to unify diverse countries around shared priorities, economic prosperity, national security, and environmental sustainability makes it a unique institution.
He affirmed that his appointment as WCO Chairman is an honour for him and a recognition for the Nigeria Customs Service.
Adeniyi disclosed that the Nigerian Customs administration has been undertaking reforms and modernisation programmes in the last two years.
“So, it will also mean that this appointment is a kind of validation of the reforms that we are doing. It is a kind of endorsement by the global customs community that we are on track and we are aligning our priorities with that of the WCO,” he said.
As the first Nigerian to hold the position in nearly two decades, Adeniyi said he is aware of the responsibility his chairmanship places on his country and the African region.
He pledged to use the platform to elevate the continent’s contributions while fostering an inclusive governance approach within the global customs system.
He encouraged member administrations to continue embracing diversity, describing it as the core strength that will enable the WCO to advance global trade and security objectives.
“Our uniqueness is our strength. We must let this diversity continue to create opportunity and progress for us,” he noted.
The World Customs Organisation is an independent intergovernmental body established in 1952 to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of customs administrations worldwide. Originally called the Customs Co-operation Council, it was renamed the WCO in 1994 to reflect its expanding global role. The WCO’s central mission is to improve the efficiency of customs procedures and harmonise and simplify customs regulations across borders.
