As Comptroller General (CG) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Adewale Adeniyi marks his first year in office, stakeholders and experts have taken the opportunity to assess his performance.
Among the notable voices is Dr. Kayode Farinto, the former acting president of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), who offered a detailed evaluation of Adeniyi’s tenure based on six critical indices: revenue target, border security, trade facilitation, national security, stakeholder engagement, and compliance with international conventions.
Farinto acknowledged that Adeniyi has made significant strides in revenue generation and national security, rating him 55% and 60% respectively. He commended the CG’s initiatives in tightening border security, which have been crucial in curbing smuggling and enhancing national safety. However, he stressed that merely meeting revenue targets is not sufficient to deem his overall performance as exemplary.
He opined that one of the most critical areas where Adeniyi received low marks is trade facilitation, with a mere 20%. Farinto highlighted several factors impeding trade, which he believes the CG has not adequately addressed. These include bureaucratic bottlenecks and inefficiencies that have continued to frustrate traders and businesses.
Similarly, stakeholder engagement scored only 30%. Farinto expressed surprise at the low level of engagement at the national level, despite expectations that there would be substantial interactions with stakeholders to improve customs processes and policies.
Another area where Adeniyi’s performance has been criticized is compliance with international conventions, receiving a score of just 20%. Farinto pointed out that current practices often contravene established international agreements such as the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT). He noted that the customs valuation process, which sometimes imposes arbitrary values on goods, undermines the principles of fair trade and transparency.
Moreover, Farinto criticized the extended timeframes for obtaining necessary approvals and clearances, which have lengthened under Adeniyi’s tenure. He argued that these delays are counter-productive and exacerbate the operational challenges faced by businesses.
In summary, he noted that while Comptroller General Adewale Adeniyi has made notable progress in revenue generation and border security, significant challenges remain in trade facilitation, stakeholder engagement and adherence to international standards.
Farinto called for a balanced approach that not only prioritizes revenue and security but also enhances efficiency, transparency, and stakeholder collaboration.
He stated that as Adeniyi enters his second year in office, stakeholders will be closely watching to see if he addresses these critical areas to improve the overall effectiveness of the Nigeria Customs Service.
