The management of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has welcomed the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, back to the Service's Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, following his successful participation at the 147th and 148th Sessions of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council in Brussels, Belgium.
The reception came on Wednesday after Adeniyi secured a major international endorsement as members of the WCO Council unanimously renewed his tenure as Chairperson of the Council for another one year, citing his outstanding leadership and contributions to global customs administration.
The management team also congratulated the Customs boss on the recent six-month extension of his appointment as Comptroller-General by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the dual milestones as a testament to his exemplary leadership, professionalism and commitment to repositioning the Nigeria Customs Service.
As part of the reception, senior officers presented the Comptroller-General with a commemorative souvenir in appreciation of his transformational leadership and remarkable achievements in driving reforms, strengthening institutional capacity and enhancing the Service's operational efficiency.
Speaking during the event, Adeniyi expressed profound appreciation to the management team and officers of the Service for their unwavering support, describing the warm reception as a reflection of the unity, dedication and shared vision that have continued to propel the Nigeria Customs Service forward.
According to him, he had travelled to Brussels expecting to formally hand over the chairmanship of the WCO Council at the expiration of his tenure, but members of the Council instead renewed his mandate for another year.
"I sincerely appreciate your support. I went to Brussels believing I was going to hand over, but the outcome was different. The Council renewed my tenure for another one year, and I dedicate this achievement to the entire Nigeria Customs Service," Adeniyi said.
He noted that the renewed confidence reposed in him by the global customs community belongs to every officer and personnel of the Service whose dedication and professionalism continue to project Nigeria positively on the international stage.
Adeniyi's reappointment as Chairperson of the WCO Council is widely regarded as a significant achievement for Nigeria, reinforcing the country's growing influence in global customs administration and international trade.
The renewed international mandate, alongside the extension of his tenure as Comptroller-General, is expected to further accelerate ongoing reforms within the Nigeria Customs Service, deepen international cooperation, enhance trade facilitation, strengthen border security and improve revenue generation in line with the Federal Government's economic agenda.