The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has chaired his first meeting as the Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, presiding over the 93rd Session of the WCO Policy Commission in Antigua, Guatemala.
The milestone further cements Nigeria’s growing influence in global customs administration and international trade governance.
Held from 2 to 4 December, 2025 at the historic Hotel Soleil in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Antigua Guatemala, the session brought together Heads of Customs Administrations and senior delegates from across the WCO’s six regions.
Opening the proceedings, CGC Adeniyi welcomed global delegates, paid tribute to customs officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, and encouraged participants to engage constructively on critical issues shaping the future of global customs operations.
He was joined by WCO Secretary General Ian Saunders and Guatemala’s Vice Minister of Public Finance, Honourable Patricia Joachin, who delivered goodwill remarks on behalf of the host government. Delegates were also hosted to a cultural evening at the historic Capuchinas Ruins, showcasing Guatemala’s rich heritage.
CGC Adeniyi’s election as WCO Council Chair in June 2025 marked a historic achievement for Nigeria and the African continent, placing the country at the leadership helm of an organisation comprising 187 customs administrations worldwide. The appointment has been widely viewed as a vote of confidence in Nigeria’s customs reforms and its commitment to strengthening global trade facilitation.
Reflecting on his mandate, Adeniyi described the position as “a major responsibility for Nigeria and for Africa,” noting that his objective is to offer quality leadership that enhances global trade, improves security, and fosters inclusive customs governance.
His remarks echo an interview earlier granted to WCO Global on The Customs Exchange, where he stated that his election represents a validation of Nigeria’s ongoing customs modernisation agenda. According to him, the confidence shown in his leadership is “an endorsement by the global customs community that we are on track,” citing reforms undertaken in the last two years, including procedural upgrades, enhanced systems integration, and strengthened collaboration with international partners.
He highlighted Nigeria’s Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme—developed with WCO support—as one of the most transformative reforms, resulting in shorter clearance times, improved revenue performance and deeper trust between the Service and compliant traders.
Adeniyi also referenced Nigeria’s adoption of global best practices such as the SAFE Framework of Standards, the Time Release Study (TRS), and ongoing work on advance rulings as proof of the Service’s alignment with modern customs administration standards.
Emphasising the centrality of cooperation and diversity within the WCO, Adeniyi noted, “Our uniqueness is our strength.
We must allow that diversity to continue creating opportunities and progress for us.”
The session marked a significant step in Adeniyi’s commitment to steering global customs conversations towards innovation, resilience, and inclusive trade facilitation.
About The Author
