The Chief Executive Officer of International Supply Chain Systems (ISCS) Limited and Deputy National President (Seaport) of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Chief Ambassador (Dr.) Afam Chukwuma, has described the recent appointment of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, as Chairperson of the World Customs Organization (WCO), as a transformative milestone for Nigeria’s trade and customs landscape.
In a congratulatory message to the CGC, Chukwuma said Adeniyi’s emergence at the helm of the global customs body is a golden opportunity to reposition Nigeria’s trade ecosystem and enhance its global competitiveness.
“This historic achievement reflects CGC Adeniyi’s resilience, leadership capacity, and commitment to customs modernization,” Chukwuma stated. “His recognition on the global stage is a testament to the far-reaching impact of his reforms and trade facilitation efforts in Nigeria.”
He stressed that Adeniyi’s new position will open doors for Nigeria to deepen collaboration with advanced customs systems across Europe and North America, exposing the country to global best practices such as 24–48-hour cargo clearance, paperless trade systems, and cutting-edge digital infrastructure.
“With the CGC now presiding over an organization that prioritizes efficiency and innovation, there is no doubt that Nigeria will benefit from his exposure to advanced operational models,” Chukwuma said. “This is a win-win for our economy. It sets the stage for the adoption of smarter clearance processes and a more streamlined regulatory environment.”
According to the freight forwarding expert, such improvements will significantly lower the cost of doing business, attract international investment, increase trade volumes, and contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and foreign exchange reserves.
Chukwuma also pointed out that the CGC’s new role will likely spark renewed focus on exports and economic diversification.
“You can’t chair global discussions where countries celebrate export surpluses while leading a system overly dependent on imports,” he noted. “This new responsibility will challenge and inspire the CGC to pursue policies that boost exports and improve Nigeria’s trade balance.”
He concluded by reaffirming confidence in Adeniyi’s ability to leverage the WCO platform to deliver long-term benefits to Nigeria’s economy and customs sector.
