The World Customs Organization (WCO) council has elected Bashir Adeniyi, comptroller-general of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), as its new chairperson.
The council, which is the governing body of the WCO,
comprises the heads of 186 customs administrations across the world.
In a statement on Saturday, the organisation said Adeniyi’s
tenure takes effect from July 1, 2025.
“WCO Council, the governing body of the organization,
comprising the Heads of 186 Customs administrations, has formally endorsed Mr.
Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller-General @CustomsNG , as its Chairperson
from 1 July 2025,” the WCO said.
“Meeting at the WCO in Brussels and held under the guidance
of outgoing WCO Council Chairperson, Mr. Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner of the
South African Revenue Service, the 145th/146th Sessions saw the election of a
new Chair following the completion of the maximum two-year duration of the
outgoing chair.”
In his remarks, Adeniyi expressed gratitude to the council
members for the election and pledged to prioritise the development and
implementation of the WCO’s strategic plan for 2025-2028.
“I hope to build on the progress made so far in the
development of the Strategic Plan for 2025-2028 and I look forward to working
with the Secretariat and the Vice-Chairs towards its diligent implementation
and WCO modernisation,” he said.
Also speaking, Ian Saunders, WCO secretary-general,
congratulated Adeniyi on his election and expressed confidence in his
leadership.
“My deepest congratulations go to Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi
on his election as Council Chairperson and I look forward to engaging closely
with him as we work to ensure the WCO is fit to navigate the evolving global
Customs landscape,” Saunders said.
He also commended Kieswetter for his leadership, noting that
the WCO’s modernisation plan progressed from concept to implementation under
his tenure.
In addition, new regional vice-chairs were appointed for the
WCO Europe region (United Kingdom) and for the East and Southern Africa region
(South Africa).
NCS, BELARUS SIGN MOU
TO COMBAT TRANSNATIONAL THREATS
The NCS and the Republic of Belarus have signed a memorandum
of understanding (MoU) on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters,
reaffirming their commitments to strengthening international enforcement
alliances.
The NCS, in a statement on Saturday, said the agreement was
formalised on June 27 on the sidelines of the 145th/146th sessions of the
customs co-operation council at the World Customs Organization (WCO)
headquarters in Brussels.
Adeniyi was said to have signed the MoU on behalf of
Nigeria, while Vladimir Orlovsky, chairman of the state customs committee,
represented the Belarusian government.
The NCS said the agreement provides a legal framework for
mutual administrative assistance in areas such as revenue protection, accurate
classification and valuation, prohibition enforcement, and joint operations
targeting smuggling and customs fraud.
“It is underpinned by core international instruments such as
the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961), the Convention on Psychotropic
Substances (1971), the CITES Convention, and the 1953 WCO Recommendation on
Mutual Administrative Assistance,” the statement added.
Speaking after the ceremony, Adeniyi described the agreement
as a strategic tool to expand the service’s global customs diplomacy and reform
blueprint, especially in areas of information exchange, joint enforcement, and
capacity building.
“We are forging a new chapter in international cooperation,
one rooted in mutual trust, operational efficiency, and proactive
intelligence,” the CGC said.
“This partnership with Belarus strengthens our ability to
combat transnational threats, facilitate secure trade, and modernise procedures
in line with global best practices.”
He said the development reflects the increasing adoption of
an intelligence-led enforcement model, consistent with the NCS’s goal of
positioning Nigeria as a hub of innovative and compliant African customs
operations.
“Beyond enforcement, this is a framework for learning,
innovation, and solidarity among customs administrations,” Adeniyi said.
“Nigeria is proud to stand alongside Belarus in advancing
collaborative customs solutions that protect our borders and promote legitimate
commerce.”
On his part, Orlovsky commended the leadership of the NCS
for embracing international partnerships to tackle common challenges.
He said Belarusians look forward to fruitful exchanges and
shared implementation.
“This MoU establishes the foundation for strategic
engagement between our administrations,” Orlovsky said.
“Our shared values in safeguarding trade and combating
illicit activity will be the bedrock of this relationship.”
The statement added that under the agreement, both parties
are expected to collaborate in joint investigations, training, real-time
intelligence sharing, and the application of control procedures in accordance
with their national laws.
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