The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service and Chairperson of the World Customs Organization Council, Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional customs modernisation, digital transformation, and stronger cooperation among member states in West and Central Africa.
Adeniyi stated this during the 32nd Conference of Directors-General of Customs for the West and Central Africa (WCA) Region held in Freetown from May 7 to 8, 2026.
Addressing delegates at the high-level gathering, the Customs boss said Nigeria’s leadership within the region is rooted in unity, inclusiveness, and collective progress among member countries.
“This chairmanship is not mine. It belongs to the region that sent me,” Adeniyi said. “Anytime I take the chair, I take it on behalf of every administration represented in this hall.”
He praised the WCA region’s tradition of rotational inclusiveness, noting that every member nation, irrespective of size, is given an opportunity to lead.
“Our region has a quiet but powerful tradition. Every member, big or small, takes its turn. The right to host is not negotiated. We pass the baton from one capital to the next,” he stated.
Adeniyi also commended the leadership of the WCO Secretary-General and members of the WCO Policy Commission for ensuring the region remains actively represented in global customs reforms and international decision-making processes.
The conference was officially declared open by the President of Sierra Leone and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Julius Maada Bio, who stressed the need for deeper regional collaboration to promote trade facilitation, border security, and economic integration.
The conference, themed “A Customs Service that Protects Society Through its Vigilance and Commitment,” focused heavily on digital transformation, intelligence-led operations, and regional trade harmonisation.
Discussions centred on the transition from reactive enforcement approaches to proactive customs management driven by technology, intelligence sharing, and coordinated border controls.
Delegates reviewed reports from the WCO Secretariat and the Regional Working Group on the Private Sector, with emphasis on harmonising customs procedures, strengthening real-time information exchange, and improving efforts against illicit trade and transnational crimes.
Digital transformation emerged as a major priority, with participants highlighting the implementation of Single Window systems, the ECOWAS SIGMAT framework for transit verification, and the operational impact of the African Continental Free Trade Area on customs administration, risk management, and data exchange.
The conference also aligned closely with the ongoing modernisation reforms of the Nigeria Customs Service, particularly in automation, intelligence-led enforcement, and enhanced regional cooperation.
Meanwhile, delegates elected the Central African Republic as the new Vice Chair of the WCO West and Central Africa Region, succeeding Mali after the completion of its two-year tenure.
