The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has commended the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for the Service’s sustained efforts in Customs modernisation and trade facilitation.
The commendation was delivered on Thursday during the opening of the 145th and 146th Sessions of the Customs Co-operation Council at the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
In her keynote address, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala lauded the Nigeria Customs Service for its progressive deployment of technology, improved border management procedures, and efforts to strengthen compliance with international trade standards.
According to the WTO chief, the leadership of Adeniyi has positioned Nigeria as one of the emerging models of Customs modernisation on the African continent.
“The leadership of CGC Adeniyi has positioned Nigeria as a model for Customs modernisation across the continent. These efforts are critical to strengthening global trade and ensuring that customs administrations contribute meaningfully to economic development,” she stated.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala also emphasized the need for customs administrations to address complex technical issues such as rules of origin and customs valuation, which she described as essential components of effective trade facilitation.
In response to the commendation, CGC Adeniyi described the recognition as an encouragement for the Service to sustain its ongoing reforms. Speaking in a side interaction with the WTO Director-General, the Customs boss said the acknowledgment validates the steps taken by the NCS to enhance automation, transparency, and institutional capacity.
“We are honoured by the commendation from Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, whose global leadership in trade matters is widely respected,” Adeniyi stated. “The recognition of our efforts is a call for us to maintain momentum as we work to modernise customs operations and foster legitimate trade facilitation in line with international best practices.”
He noted that the NCS remains committed to rallying Customs administrations across Africa in supporting the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Adeniyi also pledged Nigeria’s continued support for the growing collaboration between the World Customs Organisation and the World Trade Organisation, especially following the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two organisations in January 2025. The agreement provides a framework for cooperation in critical areas such as customs valuation, rules of origin, and trade facilitation.
“We commend WCO Secretary General, Mr. Ian Saunders, for his leadership and for fostering stronger partnerships between our global trade institutions,” Adeniyi said. “Nigeria Customs Service fully supports this collaboration and is committed to implementing reforms that promote transparent, secure, and efficient trade flows.”
The Nigeria Customs Service noted that the enhanced WTO-WCO partnership is expected to offer significant support to developing countries, including Nigeria, by providing the tools and policy frameworks needed to further modernise customs procedures and improve international competition
