Skip to main content

WTO DG Commends CGC Adeniyi’s Leadership at 145th/146th WCO Council Session in Brussels

By Anne Ejuka


The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has again been commended by the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, for its remarkable strides in customs modernisation and trade facilitation. 


The recognition came during the 145th/146th Sessions Opening of the Customs Co-operation Council, held on Thursday, June 26th, 2025, at the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Headquarters in Brussels.


Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, who delivered the keynote address at the opening of the Council Sessions, while making her remarks, applauded the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for the Service’s continued efforts in aligning its operations with international trade standards.



In her remarks, she acknowledged the oo significant progress made by the Nigeria Customs Service in deploying technology, strengthening border procedures, and improving compliance frameworks. “The leadership of CGC Adeniyi has positioned Nigeria as a model for customs modernisation across the continent. These efforts are critical to strengthening global trade and ensuring that customs administrations contribute meaningfully to economic development,” she stated.


The WTO Director-General also addressed the importance of tackling complex customs issues such as rules of origin and valuation, noting that these technical areas remain critical to effective trade facilitation. 


Reacting to the commendation in a side interaction with the DG, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, described the recognition as a strong encouragement for the Service to sustain its reform momentum.


“We are honoured by the kind words of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a global icon and an advocate for inclusive trade,” CGC Adeniyi said. “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 global 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 AfCFTA.”



The CGC also expressed support for the growing collaboration between the World Customs Organisation and the World Trade Organisation, especially in the wake of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in January 2025. The agreement provides a framework for cooperation in key areas such as customs valuation, rules of origin, and trade facilitation.


“We commend WCO Secretary General, Mr. Ian Saunders, for his visionary leadership and for reinforcing synergies between our global institutions,” CGC Adeniyi noted. “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 Service emphasised that the enhanced WTO–WCO partnership would benefit developing countries like Nigeria by providing the tools and policy support needed to modernise customs procedures and boost international competitiveness.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

KNIGHTS OF ST. JOHN (KSJI) TAKES A SWIPE AT BAD LEADERSHIPS IN NIGERIA

By Anne Ejuka
  Maj. Gen. (Prof) Remy Uche,  KSJI Supreme Subordinate President, Nigeria. As Christians all over the world marked  the feast of the Passion of St. John the Baptist on August 29 commemoration of his beheading by King Herod for speaking up to the truth, the Knights of St. John International (KSJI) of the Roman Catholic Church has taken a swipe against which it described as obnoxious and draconian leaderships in many spheres of life in Nigeria. The Knights of St. John International (KSJI), a sodality organisation of men and women looked up to in the Roman Catholic Church as people of integrity, is not happy with the current situation in the country where leaders in some places are not serving expectedly. According to a press statement made by the KSJI leader in Nigeria (Supreme Subordinate President), Maj Gen. Remy Uche (Prof), and signed on his behalf, by his Chief of Staff, Sir Abuchi Anueyiagu, to mark the feast of the Passion of St. John the Baptist, the patron saint...
Post a Comment
Read more

Eze Uchendu Applauds Compt. Olomu's Outstanding Performance In Apapa

By Anne Ejuka
  ...Berates APMT For Lack  of Capacity & Technicality ...Calls FG to Set Up Committee To Access APMT Operations In Nigeria The remarkable performance of the Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Customs command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu fsi has been commended by a renowned freight forwarder, the Chairman of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarder( NAGAFF), Apapa Chapter, Fowdr. Prince Eze Uchendu. Accessing the Apapa Command under the control of Compt. Olomu,  the  chairman applauded the resilience and doggedness of the area controller in all areas of operation, in his words, "I think for now we have a good controller, the person of controller, Babatunde Olomu, since his inception as the CAC Apapa, I can say Apapa Command has never had it so good, so I can score the Nigeria customs high In all fields of endeavour, the controller has been a moving controller,  he's not a controller that stays in office. He comes to the terminals ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Kabiesi Akintola Becomes A First Class King And Permanent Member of Osun State Council of Kings

By Anne Ejuka
A Retired Senior Customs  Officer, Deputy Comptroller Akintola Imran Ayodeji (Rtd)  has become a First Class King and permanent member of the esteemed Osun State Council of Kings. He  signed  his letter of appointment on the 19th day of August 2024, at a momentous occasion which  marked a significant milestone in his journey as a traditional leader and a proud son of Osun State. His Royal Majesty Oba Akintola Imran Ayodeji, The Alua Of Erin Oke Kingdom Ijesa, after signing his  letter of appointment saod felt a deep sense of responsibility and commitment to serve his people and uphold the rich cultural heritage of the great state of the Living Spring. This appointment is not just a recognition of his own achievements, but also a testament to the trust and confidence placed on him by the people and the Council of Kings. As a First Class King,the Kabiesi has pledged to work tirelessly to promote the welfare and development of his ...
Post a Comment
Read more