The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr. Wale Adeniyi, has been elected as Chairman of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council. The election took place during the concluding session of the 145th/146th WCO Council Meetings at the WCO Headquarters in Brussels.
Adeniyi succeeds Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service, becoming the first Nigerian to hold this prestigious office since the WCO’s establishment in 1953. The WCO Council is the highest decision-making body in global customs administration, guiding policy and best practices among 185 member states.
In his remarks, Adeniyi described the appointment as humbling and historic for Nigeria and the African Customs community. He expressed gratitude to Council members for their confidence and pledged to uphold the core values of the WCO, promote innovation, equity, and deeper collaboration among member states, and support the organisation’s ongoing modernisation efforts.
Adeniyi emphasized the importance of balancing trade facilitation with enforcement, transparency with innovation, and sovereignty with cooperation. He also acknowledged the solid foundation laid by his predecessor and expressed optimism about leading the WCO through its 2025–2028 strategic plan.
As Chairperson, Adeniyi will provide strategic leadership to the WCO Policy Commission, steer global customs discussions, and represent the organisation at major international forums. His role will also involve fostering inclusivity, capacity development, and sustainability in customs operations, especially for developing countries.
The symbolic lowering of the South African flag and the hoisting of the Nigerian flag at the WCO headquarters marked Nigeria’s historic ascension to the chairmanship, signaling a new era of leadership for the global customs community.
