The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi has chaired his first meeting as the head of the World Customs Organisation,WCO, Council, leading the 93rd Session of the Policy Commission in Antigua, Guatemala, and further amplifying Nigeria’s presence within global customs governance circles.
The three-day session, held from Dec. 2 to 4, at the historic Hotel Soleil, brought together Heads of Customs Administrations and senior delegates from the WCO’s six regions.
The ancient city of Antigua Guatemala, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, served as a symbolic backdrop for discussions centred on the future of international customs operations.
In his opening remarks, CGC Adeniyi welcomed delegates and honoured customs officers worldwide who lost their lives in active service. He urged participants to approach the deliberations with clarity and commitment as they examined critical issues shaping global trade and border security.
He presided over the session alongside WCO Secretary General Ian Saunders. Guatemala’s Vice Minister of Public Finance, Hon. Patricia Joachin, represented the host government and extended the country’s goodwill to participants.
Delegates were also treated to a traditional Guatemalan dinner at the historic Capuchinas Ruins, adding cultural depth to the high-level engagements.
Adeniyi’s leadership role follows his election in June 2025 as WCO Council Chair, a moment broadly celebrated across Nigeria and the African continent. The development placed the country at the forefront of an organisation comprising 187 customs administrations and entrusted it with guiding global customs policy.
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Reflecting on the significance of his mandate, Adeniyi described the role as a weighty responsibility for both Nigeria and Africa. He stressed the need for quality leadership that supports global trade efficiency, strengthens border security and encourages inclusive customs governance.
His message aligns with insights he shared earlier during an exclusive appearance on The Customs Exchange: Conversations with Global Customs Leaders. He noted that his election affirmed Nigeria’s ongoing customs reforms and the Service’s push toward modernisation.
He said the confidence vested in him by the international customs community signals that Nigeria’s reform agenda is firmly on track. Over the past two years, the Service has undertaken system upgrades, streamlined procedures and reinforced collaboration with international partners.
One of the major highlights is Nigeria’s Authorised Economic Operator programme, developed with technical backing from the WCO. Adeniyi explained that the initiative has accelerated cargo clearance, boosted revenue and improved trust between the Service and compliant traders.
He also referenced Nigeria’s adoption of several WCO instruments—such as the SAFE Framework of Standards, the Time Release Study and ongoing work on advance rulings—as evidence of the country’s alignment with global best practices.
Calling for stronger multilateral cooperation, Adeniyi emphasised the value of diversity within the WCO. “Our uniqueness is our strength,” he said. “We must allow that diversity to continue creating opportunities and progress for us.”
The session in Guatemala marked a defining moment in Nigeria’s customs diplomacy, reinforcing the nation’s emergence as an active and influential voice in shaping global customs policy.
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