The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Chairperson of the Council of the World Customs Organization, Adewale Adeniyi, has recorded a historic milestone on the global stage, delivered the keynote address at the opening of the 46th Session of the WCO Enforcement Committee in Brussels, Belgium.
The high-level session, held on Monday, March 23, 2026, marked the first time in the Committee’s 43-year history that its opening ceremony was jointly addressed by both the WCO Secretary-General, Ian Saunders, and the Council Chairperson. The development signals a growing strategic importance of the Enforcement Committee in shaping global customs operations.
CG Adeniyi’s participation placed the Nigeria Customs Service at the centre of a defining moment in international customs cooperation, reinforcing Nigeria’s increasing influence in global trade governance.
The session also reflected a significant shift in the Committee’s operational direction from a traditional enforcement-focused platform to a more policy-driven body tackling emerging global challenges. These included the deployment of advanced detection technologies, enhanced intelligence sharing, safeguarding supply chain integrity, and combating trade-based money laundering.
Discussions further highlighted the ongoing review of the Committee’s Terms of Reference, last updated in 2009, aimed at aligning its framework with the complexities of modern global trade.
In his keynote address, Adeniyi commended customs administrations worldwide for their continued efforts against transnational organised crime. He stressed the need for intelligence-led, coordinated enforcement strategies in response to evolving threats across international supply chains.
“Customs enforcement today is no longer about isolated seizures; it is about protecting the integrity of global trade,” he said.
As part of its contribution, the NCS is expected to provide field-level insights on fragile border management, drawing from Nigeria’s operational experience within one of Africa’s most challenging border environments. These contributions are anticipated to strengthen ongoing policy discussions within the global enforcement community.
The NCS Boss concluded with a call for stronger collaboration among customs administrations, noting that enhanced cooperation would not only improve enforcement outcomes but also promote safer trade and a more resilient global economy.
On the sidelines of the session, delegates witnessed a live drone technology demonstration by the Netherlands Customs, highlighting the increasing role of unmanned systems in modern border surveillance.
