Some leaders passed through office; a few redefine it. At 60, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, stands firmly in the latter category a consummate professional, reformer, and global trade diplomat whose leadership has reshaped Customs administration in Nigeria and elevated the country’s profile on the world stage.
Dr. Adeniyi was appointed Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023, a decision widely seen as a vote of confidence in competence, institutional memory, and integrity. The appointment crowned a distinguished career built patiently over decades of service, having risen steadily through the ranks of the Service he now leads.
A product of the Customs system, Dr. Adeniyi joined the Nigeria Customs Service as a young officer and advanced through diligence, professionalism, and intellectual depth. Over the years, he served in diverse operational, administrative, and strategic roles across commands and at headquarters. Notably, he once served as the National Public Relations Officer and spokesperson of the Nigeria Customs Service, where he distinguished himself with clarity, transparency, and calm authority, strengthening public confidence and sharpening engagement with the media and stakeholders.
Before his elevation to the apex position, he rose to the rank of Deputy Comptroller-General, overseeing critical portfolios central to Customs operations, trade facilitation, and enforcement. His deep, hands-on understanding of the institution earned from years of service at multiple levels has remained one of his strongest leadership assets.
Academically and professionally grounded, Dr. Adeniyi holds a doctorate degree and has undertaken numerous advanced trainings in customs administration, leadership, security, and international trade within and outside Nigeria. This blend of scholarship and practice has shaped a leader who is both analytical and action-oriented.
Since assuming office as Comptroller-General, Dr. Adeniyi has pursued reforms that balance revenue optimisation, trade facilitation, and border security. Under his leadership, the Nigeria Customs Service has consistently surpassed revenue targets, driven by smarter systems, improved compliance, and a strong emphasis on automation and digitisation. These reforms have reduced cargo clearance times at ports, improved transparency, and strengthened partnerships with the trading community.
A defining achievement of his tenure is the integration of the Authorised Economic Operator Programme, supported by the World Customs Organization, which has enhanced efficiency, boosted confidence among compliant traders, and aligned Nigeria’s Customs processes with global best practices. The adoption of the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards has further strengthened supply chain security while facilitating legitimate trade. Beyond revenue and trade, his leadership has improved inter-agency collaboration, enhanced border security, and fostered better community relations in border areas.
On the global stage, Dr. Adeniyi’s leadership reached a historic peak with his election in June 2025 as Chairman of the World Customs Organization, a milestone that placed Nigeria and Africa at the centre of global customs governance. Through inclusive, practical, and charismatic leadership, he has projected Nigeria as a credible and constructive voice in international trade policy.
He has also played a pivotal role in mobilising Customs administrations and stakeholders toward the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), particularly through the C-PACT platform, reinforcing the role of Customs as a catalyst for continental integration and economic growth.
At 60, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi exemplifies the power of institutional loyalty, earned authority, and visionary leadership. His journey from junior officer to spokesperson, from Deputy Comptroller-General to Comptroller-General appointed by the President reflects merit, perseverance, and service to country.
This milestone is not merely a celebration of age, but of impact. As his legacy continues to unfold, Nigeria stands better positioned in global trade, border governance, and institutional reform because of his steady and purposeful stewardship.
Lukman Laleye Babalola is the Publisher, Emporium Reporters Online. He writes from Abuja. [email protected].
