President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Dr Adewale Bashir Adeniyi MFR, on his 60th birthday, describing his tenure as marked by far-reaching reforms and dedicated national service.
The President’s message, conveyed in a statement e-signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the milestone reflected years of commitment that have repositioned the NCS as a more competitive and relevant institution.
According to the statement, President Tinubu commended Dr Adeniyi’s role in transforming the Service into a globally recognised organisation, culminating in his election as Chairman of the World Customs Organization (WCO) in June 2025.
“The President commends the Comptroller-General for projecting Nigeria and Africa on the global stage by providing inclusive, practical and charismatic leadership at the WCO and rallying Customs administrations and critical stakeholders for the implementation of the AfCFTA through the C-PACT platform,” the statement said.
It also noted the integration of the Authorised Economic Operator Programme in Nigeria, with WCO support, to enhance cargo clearance times, improve revenue performance and strengthen partnerships with traders, alongside the adoption of the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards to secure and facilitate global trade.
The President further highlighted internal reforms under Adeniyi’s leadership, including automation and digitisation of operations, training and upskilling of officers, high-level diplomacy and the adoption of global best practices, which he said had yielded improvements in trade facilitation and revenue collection.
He acknowledged that the Customs boss’s leadership had led to better community relations, consistent surpassing of revenue targets, stronger trade partnerships with countries and multilateral institutions, and improved border security.
“As the Customs boss turns 60, the President prays that the Almighty God will grant him more strength, good health and wisdom to keep serving the nation,” the statement added.
