Nigeria has recorded a significant milestone on the international stage as Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, was elected Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, the highest decision-making body in global customs administration.
The election took place in Brussels, Belgium, where the WCO Council convened with delegates from more than 180 member countries. Adeniyi’s emergence marks the first time a Nigerian has been elected to lead the WCO Council, a body responsible for setting international standards and policies guiding customs operations worldwide.
The World Customs Organisation plays a central role in global trade facilitation, border security, revenue collection and supply-chain management. As Chairperson of its Council, Adeniyi will preside over deliberations that shape how customs administrations across continents respond to emerging trade challenges, technological changes and cross-border security concerns.
According to reports on the election, Adeniyi’s leadership at Nigeria Customs and his contributions to international customs discussions were key factors in his emergence. Since assuming office, he has been associated with reforms aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and collaboration within Nigeria’s customs system — efforts that have drawn attention beyond the country’s borders.
The appointment places Nigeria in a position of influence within one of the world’s most important trade-related organisations. It also reflects growing confidence in Nigerian professionals to lead complex global institutions, particularly in areas tied to international commerce and economic governance.
Observers note that Adeniyi’s election is not only a personal achievement but also a diplomatic and institutional gain for Nigeria. It strengthens the country’s voice in global trade conversations and highlights its capacity to contribute meaningfully to the development of international regulatory frameworks.
As global trade continues to evolve amid technological shifts and geopolitical pressures, Nigeria’s leadership at the WCO Council underscores the country’s expanding footprint in global governance. Adeniyi’s new role adds to the growing list of Nigerians occupying influential positions abroad, reinforcing the narrative of Nigerian expertise shaping decisions at the highest international levels.
