The newly elected Nigeria Wrestling Federation President, Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has begun his NWF reign with two priceless medals as Esther Kolawole and Christianah Ogunsanya secured two bronze medals at the u23 World Wrestling Championships in Serbia.
While the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service was being inaugurated as NWF President on Saturday by the National Sports Commission, Kolawole and Ogunsanya were cooking something special to usher him into office.
Esther Kolawole (62k) on the road to the 3rd place match beat Hungarian Yasmine Soliman 10-0 superiority before losing to Iryna Bondar of Ukraine
The resilience of the reigning African champion saw her triumph gallantly in the Repachage match against Savita Savita of India 16-4, and followed that up with a dominant display of 8-1 over Venezuelan Astrid Paolo Montero to secure the bronze medal.
In the same vein, another Reigning African champion in the 53kg, Christinah Ogunsanya mercilessly defeated UWW Ekaterina Kapushkina 10-0 in the first round match. She then consolidated on the win with yet another convincing victory over Canadian Serena Rosa Di Benedcgo to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Ogunsanya’s 10-6 triumph over Suiyi Chen of China catapulted her into the Semifinals, where she sadly lost 3-5 to Japanese Haruna Marikawa.
In the bronze medal match, Christinah Ogunsanya left no stone unturned as she brutally showed her mettle with 8-0 victory over Brianna Elizabeth Gonzalez of USA.
In his reaction to the display of Esther and Christianah, Adeniyi lauded the heroic performance of the duo, stressing it was a perfect inauguration present.
“I want to salute our gallant wrestlers for this feat. This is a perfect way to begin our journey. We are a winning Federation, and it has started,” he said.
“For future tournaments, our preparations will be better. We will scrutinise our previous performances with more hard work, determination, and planning to do better.” Adeniyi said.
The Muslim Community of Modakeke in Osun State has hailed the appointment of their son, Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, as the Chairperson of the Council of the World Customs Organization (WCO).
The community also expressed joy over the appointment of another indigene, Prof Muftau Atayese, as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the newly established University of Agriculture, Iragbiji.
A statement by Amir of the Modakeke Muslim Intellectual Forum (MMIF), Prof Kamilu Rauf, described Adeniyi’s appointment as a “global honour” for Nigeria and Modakeke.
“This is a huge honour not only for Modakeke but for Nigeria as a whole. The flag of Nigeria will now fly at the WCO headquarters, thanks to the professionalism and excellence of one of our own,” he said.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who appointed Adeniyi as Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs.
Prof Rauf also described Atayese’s appointment as a “divinely inspired milestone” and a reflection of Modakeke’s long-standing commitment to academic brilliance and leadership excellence.
The forum praised President Tinubu for his foresight and wisdom in choosing Atayese for the historic task of leading the new federal university.
He acknowledged and appreciated the silent contributions of numerous stakeholders in and outside government, including academic leaders and policy influencers, who helped bring the appointment to reality.
In a separate message, the Modakeke Development Partners described the appointment as a reward for his lifelong dedication to excellence and service.
“We pray for more breakthroughs and divine wisdom for him in this new assignment”, the group stated.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded a historic revenue milestone of ₦1.3 trillion in the first quarter of 2025, more than doubling its first-quarter collection of ₦600 billion in 2023.
Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi attributed this unprecedented achievement to the far-reaching reforms instituted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking in an upcoming State House documentary commemorating President Tinubu’s second year in office, Adeniyi revealed that the remarkable rise in revenue was not the result of increased imports — which have actually declined due to foreign exchange constraints — but rather the outcome of deep institutional reforms across Customs operations.
According to a statement on Saturday by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, the CG said: “What has changed is efficiency, transparency, and enforcement. We collected ₦1.3 trillion in Q1 2025 alone, despite a dip in import volume. That is the result of focused leadership and accountability”.
The Customs boss credited several key initiatives with catalyzing the boost, including upgraded technology, improved port operations, stricter enforcement against revenue leakages, and a cultural shift toward accountability in Customs commands nationwide.
At the heart of these transformations is the $3.2 billion E-Customs Modernisation Project, which the Service is preparing to fully deploy.
The digital overhaul will automate cargo processing, surveillance, and payments at ports and borders.
“We’re laying the foundation to move from a manual, paper-based system to a fully digital service. Once fully deployed, the E-Customs Project is projected to generate up to $250 billion in cumulative revenue over 20 years”, Adeniyi said.
In a bid to align Nigeria’s customs practices with global standards, the NCS has also launched the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme.
This initiative fast-tracks cargo processing for pre-vetted, compliant importers, reducing port congestion and encouraging voluntary compliance.
“If you’re compliant, you get green-lane treatment. This is how modern customs systems work globally — it’s about trust and efficiency”, Adeniyi explained.
The Customs Service has also intensified anti-smuggling operations and closed long-standing revenue gaps.
According to Adeniyi, over ₦64 billion was recovered from previously under-assessed or undervalued imports in the past nine months.
Major smuggling networks operating through the Seme, Idiroko, Katsina, and Sokoto borders have been dismantled, with results credited to newly established joint border patrol task forces operating in coordination with the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police.
“We’re no longer just chasing smugglers in the bush. We’re using data, surveillance drones, and port intelligence to act in real time. Systemic leakages are now being plugged”, he said.
To further facilitate trade and reduce business costs, the NCS is accelerating the deployment of the National Single Window — a digital platform that will unify all government agencies involved in cargo clearance.
Currently, importers must navigate up to 15 separate agencies manually.
“With the Single Window, you’ll do it all online, in one place. This will slash clearance time and costs”, Adeniyi said.
He added that clearance times at Apapa and Tin Can Ports have already dropped from 21 days to as few as 7–10 days for compliant importers.
In line with the federal government’s renewed push for non-oil exports, the Service has introduced fast-track lanes for agro-exports and is collaborating with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to streamline outbound cargo processing.
“We’re promoting exports aggressively. In 2024 alone, Nigeria exported over ₦340 billion worth of solid minerals and agro commodities through formal channels — a 38% increase. We’re targeting even more in 2025”, the CG said.
Adeniyi also spoke on the internal transformation of the Service itself.
Over 1,800 officers have been trained in advanced data analytics, risk profiling, and artificial intelligence, as part of an effort to shift NCS from physical inspections to intelligence-led operations.
“Customs is no longer just about checking containers. We’re becoming a data-driven, globally competitive agency”, he said.
He emphasized that the transformative success of the Service is rooted in the clear directive from President Tinubu: block leakages, facilitate trade, and raise revenue without increasing the burden on citizens.
“That is what we are doing. And the results are beginning to speak for themselves”, Adeniyi said.
In a landscape where sports often reflect the spirit and resilience of a nation, the emergence of sports’ loving Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, as a rallying point in the Super Eagles’ quest for a ticket to the FIFA World Cup 2026 is not just a breath of fresh air but a transformative force. This undoubtedly is similar to what Admiral Augustus Aikhomu, the late Chief of Naval Staff and Vice President under General Ibrahim Babangida, was to the Super Eagles in the 1990s with his backings for Dutch tactician Clemens Westerhof that saw Nigeria through to her maiden appearance at the USA 1994 World Cup on the back of winning the country’s second Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)title at Tunisia’ 94, reports Sports Editor, MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN.
The Super Eagles have long been recognized for its rich history and passionate fan base over the years but recent years have seen challenges in achieving the success and consistency the ever passionate and demanding Nigerian football supporters yearn for.
But the arrival of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to the scene as a ‘third force’ for the coach Eric Sekou Chelle-led side, signals a new chapter in the team’s quest to revive the hope of securing the much-desired ticket towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup after missing out the last term at Qatar 2022 .
Penultimate week, Adeniyi, the unlikely but sports’ loving boss of Nigerian Customs, held a private dinner for Chelle, the recently appointed Franco-Malian manager tasked with the responsibility of reviving the Super Eagles’ flagging 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign -after they took just three points from their opening four matches.
“I just felt that we needed to give this man (Eric Chelle) a chance. We needed to let him feel welcome. We needed to let him feel at home,” Adeniyi, began in an ‘uncommon’ conversation with former Nigeria Senior Team captain, Mathematical Segun Odegbami on his most recent Saturday’s breakfast show aired on Wasimi-based Eagles 7 Sports Radio. “He (Chelle) has a very, very, very huge task at hand. You can compare it in the editorial to the Battle of Napoleon Bonaparte but possibly bigger than that, when we look at the situation on the league table (Group C World Cup table) and we are in inglorious number five.
“It’s a very, very big task and so we felt that the environment needed to be put in place for him and my own contribution was just to show Eric that you’re here in Nigeria and that Nigerians are crazy about football.
“And that we will mobilize the support of Nigerians behind him and behind the team to ensure that Nigeria does not miss out on the biggest sports extravaganza.
“So, this was the motivation. When I mooted it (the dinner with Chelle) with the chairman of the National Sports Commission (Mallam Shehu Dikko), he was all for it.
“The footballers were all for it. The football house was all for it and it was after that that I knew you (Segun Odegbami) were coming to Abuja; and I said ‘ this is a perfect opportunity to let me get the legend to meet with the gaffer and let’s see how it goes from there.”
On the premise of the much talked about ‘Evening with Eric Chelle’ that had few football stakeholders in attendance, the CG of Customs readily dismissed the notion that the former Eagles of Mali coach took the Super Eagles for the money, adding his motivation to succeed would on the long run, bode well for Nigeria.
“Number one, he’s not here for the money but I noticed that there is a bigger motivation for him to accept to come after all. Where he was attending to club football, he was getting bigger money,” Adeniyi disclosed. “He was getting much more than Nigeria is going to pay him.
“So there must be a bigger motivation for him and the motivation is that he wants to qualify the biggest team in Africa for the World Cup.
“He knows what that means for him, for his career, for his CV, if he succeeds in getting Nigeria to the World Cup. That’s the first thing that came out for me.”
Known for his primness for details and processes, Adeniyi was quick to notice other qualities that could stand Chelle in good stead to become a successful manager with the Super Eagles.
He continued: “Number two, he’s also serious-minded. I have seen his approach even before any of the matches; the engagement that he’s had with the players, talking to them, engaging them on match formation and on match strategies.
“I’ve had discussions with him on the best way that he would want to deploy players, watching and making analysis about their roles in their various teams and how he is going to leverage and harness those resources, so he’s serious minded. He’s somebody who is really going to be engaged and close to his players.
“Number three, i mentioned it during the dinner and in the editorial that you know when we go for all of these big names who have won big titles, cups and big competitions before, there is no motivation for them to come do it in Nigeria after all they’ve seen it before.
“So, when you go for an unknown and an unsung awesome person like this (Chelle) who feels that history beckons for him, he gives all of his to it and he could be able to infect the rest of the team with this kind of motivation.
“Everybody is on the same page about the need for us to get Nigeria to the World Cup and you gave the example of Clemens Westerhof and I mean that’s about the best example that we can get.”
For the younger minds, Westerhof was the Dutch manager who made history by qualifying Nigeria for her maiden appearance the FIFA World Cup in USA 1994 and won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Tunisia with a squad often regarded as ‘Nigeria’s Golden Generation’.
Adeniyi reflected on those heady days of the 1990s with the self-styled Dutch-Nigerian as Westerhof was so-called then: “The very first (AFCON Final) match he (Westerhof) played with Nigeria (against Algeria at Algiers 1990), we lost by 5-1. And in that same tournament, he went all the way to the finals. I mean, the rest is history
“He went on and on after that, and you know, he took Nigeria to the World Cup, and the highest FIFA ranking we’ve ever had was Westerhof.
“We could have another Westerhof in our hands who is motivated and have a very great connection with the team and all of that, so these are the impressions that I have about Chelle.
“We’ve spoken a couple of times and as we move nearer to the tournament, I see the enthusiasm and the passion in display and putting all these plans together for his first must-win match against Rwanda,” he said.
Like the proverbial ‘godfather that never sleeps’, Adeniyi, has even taken exemption to the wild criticisms that trailed Chelle’s initial 39-man Provisional Squad for the upcoming qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, adding it would be wrong to judge the coach on a faulty premise.
“So if you assemble 1,000 people, you’re likely going to have 1,000 different opinions but then I think when you are new in an environment , you keep all your options very open,” he said of Chelle’s initial 39-man Provisional list that has now been cut down to 23.
“Each time, I try to interrogate what certain players are doing on the field. Possibly it’s only the coach that can answer such questions. He takes full responsibility.
“ You know, we are watching from outside and we are wondering, why is this player on the pitch? The coach knows why. Maybe he’s assigning a role,
“In with 39, out of these 39, six of them were from home-based teams and I’m very excited about that. Even if none of these six gets a chance it really doesn’t matter.
“This man is going to be here for the long run and this was the way Westerhof started with the local players that he brought out and some of which eventually became the nucleus of the team.”
A dyed in the wool supporter of English Premier League side, Arsenal, Adeniyi is of the firm belief that the Super Eagles can get over their present predicament in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers and bounce back to reckoning from Group C where they are in a poor fifth position.
“Unfortunately, I’m not feeling the kind of pressure you are feeling (about the Super Eagles) because just as you said, I’m an Arsenal fan and we go through this kind of thing in the past; and we have strong skin,” Adeniyi said without apologies.
“I was just going to remind you that as recently as 2022, we won the English FA Cup and the Community Shield; which is very competitive and one of the oldest competition in English football.
“Come to Rwanda, I believe there should be no pressure as such, I believe the Super Eagles can bounce back.
“We have players in our team who are playing at the highest level. They have experience and I want to believe that they will be able to soak in the pressure in Kigali and give us the desired results that we need.
“I have spoken to a couple of people in the government, and I can assure you that the team will get all the support they need to mobilize them to go to Rwanda for this particular game.
“As I’ve always said, there’s no better time to support Nigerian football better than this time because of the reforms and the revolution that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is bringing to Nigerian football.
“So, we can’t but be optimistic. Failure is actually not an option for us in Kigali and the coach (Eric Sekou Chelle) knows it very, very well. The players also know it.
“There’s a sense of urgency. We all know it. After Kigali, four or five days after, we’ll be back in Uyo against Zimbabwe. And, you know, if we’re able to pick (win) those two matches, these will be the necessary confidence booster that we need to keep our World Cup dream on track and we take the rest as they come.
“I am not in any way underrating the capacity of these two teams (Rwanda and Zimbabwe).”
Yet, Adeniyi is not befuddled in any way about the kick-and-start approach of the Super Eagles in this World Cup qualifying campaign, adding the collection of players available to coach Chelle can compete well against the best in the world once they pull through this difficult phase.
“Possibly we are not seeing the best football at this level of the World Cup qualifiers because like all over the world, most of these players are involved in one big competition or the other,” he further explained. “But I believe that our players will rise up to the occasion in Kigali.”
That Mathematical Odegbami described Adeniyi as ‘a man who is on a mission of sports revolution’ did not even come as a surprise to the vastly experienced President of Wrestling Federation of Nigeria, Honourable Daniel Igali, who surmised that that the Comptroller General of Customs is not just a sports’ aficionado but a thoroughbred and consummate administrator.
“The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi actually got into the board of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation about three-and-half years ago and it was just by happenstance because I didn’t know him before but I’ve heard some glowing tributes about him especially with his support for basketball and volleyball,” Igali, the storied former athlete turn administrator, who won Canada’s first ever Olympic Gold medal in the wrestling event at the 2020 Summer Olympics, told NationSport.
He continued: “He was not even the Comptroller General then but there were some key attributes in him that I really adored and that was his passion for sticking to details; he’s very prompt and though he didn’t understand wrestling that much, he had good knowledge of sports and sports development; and especially about youth development in sports.
“At the National Sports Festival in Asaba, I was very surprised when he came because he was just one of the three other board members that came and he was there with us till the end of the wrestling event; and participated in all the meetings and from there, I just got fond of him.
“Then, we had the Annual Bayelsa Governor Wrestling Classics and he was also there with us for five days and paid his way as well as accommodation.”
Yet Igali, who doubles as the Bayelsa State’s Sports Commissioner, would be the first to admit being bowled over by Adeniyi’s puritanical devotion to sports ‘because he is not just a mere spectator’.
“Each time we have a meeting whether in person or virtual, Adeniyi would probably be one of the first person in attendance and he will participate meaningfully to all the discussions and I have him on my mind as someone that can contribute to any sport and at any level,” Igali volunteered, adding Adeniyi being the CG of Customs has further extended his latitude to contribute even more to sports.
“As fate would have it, He (Adeniyi) became the CG of Customs and his passion for sports completely changed; doubled as it were and for more than one-and-half years now, he has contributed so much to wrestling and I don’t even need to mention the figures.
“Presently, he sponsors at least one member of our board to every international competition that we attend. He spent so much last year on the African Wrestling Championship, the World Championships, and the Olympic qualifiers and not to talk about the welfare of our wrestlers.
“Frankly, I’m impressed with the fact that despite his obvious tight schedule as the CG of Customs, he still finds time to attend all our meetings and interacts with all the file and rank of the wrestling federation be it the coaches, athletes and referees.
“So without a doubt, the CG of Customs is about the most philanthropic person I’ve met and he’s a man who is deliberate about what he does; not flippant and he’s quiet, unassuming but very detailed and he is a goal getter.”
Indeed, Adeniyi is a man of all seasons as far as Nigerian sports is concerned because despite his versatility with football , wrestling , basketball and even athletics, he is also ‘kick-starting a revolution’ in volleyball.
Under his auspices as the CG of Customs, Nigeria would for the first time be hosting the African Women’s Volleyball Club Championship with 24 teams converging in Abuja between April 1 and 14th.
But for Adeniyi, sports is seen as a means to enhance the image of Customs and its personnel, hence he’s concerned about the physical fitness and wellness of the rank and file of the outfit under him.
“You know that sports is competitive and you get into sports to win laurels but beyond winning laurels there are so many other values that sports bring to the table,” noted the erstwhile Deputy Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College in Gwagwalada, Abuja. “The first and the most important is discipline and for you to be in sports, you have to be disciplined. You can’t compromise discipline.
“There are other values and for team games, you play in a group of people so you have to have your friends and manage your weaknesses and all of that; and added to that is that you need strategies.
“What strategy do you have to adopt when you are defending and how do you turn defence to attack and all of that when you are in a team sports.
“Off the field of play, sports breed friendship, fosters bonding and team spirits. All of these values that I’ve mentioned whether they’re for team games or personal events, every military or paramilitary organization needs that.
“In addition to this, you also know that you need to be mentally and physically fit all of the time. So these are all attributes that a military or paramilitary organization needs.
“So as a customs officer and every average customs officer, needs to develop all of these attributes because if we can have very good teams or very good sportsmen they are most likely going to be very good military or paramilitary officer this time we’re talking about the customs.
“So all over my career over the last 30 years, I’ve therefore been involved in sports at different levels and when we joined (the Customs), we were active participants in various inter-zonal games the command level at the zone levels and when I became a little bit older, I became team manager, sports administrator and now, when I became CG, I’ve now become what you can call the general overseer of all our sports development.
“As the CG, I have a broad high view of all the events in which we participate and I know where we can really leverage on our strengths.
“We’ve always been very strong in basketball, we’re actually one of the top basketball teams currently in the country and we are the defending champion for women; and our men is in the top three.
“It’s the same thing in volleyball, we have won the championship back –to-back three times with our men in 2018, 2019 and 2020 and now, we are still ranked amongst the best four in the country.
“Of course, we talked about athletics. I’m happy you made reference to it. The recent ones that Nigerians should not forget is the Afro-basketball competition in Libya where the D’Tigers qualified for a slot in the continental championship.
“It’s instructive to note that one of the key players in that tournament Ibeh is a customs officer and the coach of the team, Abdulrahman Muhammad is a customs officer who rose from being a customs basketball player and the captain of the team, he went to the national team, first the junior team, he played in the senior team, he became the coach of the junior team, and now he’s doing his things at the senior level.
“Over the years, we (Customs) have demonstrated presence, high level of visibility.
“As for volleyball tournament, we played up to the semi-finals in 2022, 2023 and during the last national championship, we qualified as number one. And from there, we went to the zonal championship and now we are eligible to play in the Continental. So, we are playing two roles at the tournament, starting in the matter of weeks in Abuja as one of the 24 teams that will eventually be registered, and we have the honour of hosting and organising the tournament.
“This is what has been happening in sports with customs. Football is also one of those areas where we want to make our marks but you know football is not for the faint-hearted.
“You really need a lot of structures, the right policies, and the infrastructures I need to put in place to get a football team. It’s easy for us to bring, you know, 20, 30 talented players together but it goes beyond that,” he concluded.
Whether admired or criticized, Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, is unwavering in his mission to transform the Nigeria Customs Service. His primary focus is to safeguard the nation’s borders against economic sabotage while boosting revenue and facilitating seamless trade relations between importers and exporters, ultimately fostering economic growth and stability for Nigeria.
Since his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration last year, Bashir has utilized his exceptional acumen and strategic insight to elevate this crucial law enforcement agency. Many initially doubted his ability to succeed, but he is decisively silencing his critics with impressive outcomes that have solidified the customs agency as one of the largest revenue-generating bodies in the country, channelling trillions of Naira into government coffers annually and enhancing trade facilitation.
Adeniyi, often dubbed the “new sheriff in town,” is unyielding in his approach, having made it clear to those who previously exploited systemic weaknesses that their days of advantage are numbered. A natural team player, he leads not from behind a desk but from the forefront, diligently ensuring that every loophole is sealed. Those who have profited at the country’s expense feel the consequences, as Adeniyi pursues them relentlessly.
He believes that for the customs service to function optimally, it must not only focus on revenue generation but also strive to portray Nigeria positively on the global stage. To that end, he has streamlined the cargo release and evaluation processes through cutting-edge technology, significantly reducing the bureaucratic red tape that plagued the service.
While his reforms have drawn ire from some quarters, he remains undeterred. Adeniyi has equipped all commands and zones, preparing them to combat both internal and external corruption. Smugglers, in particular, now view him as a formidable obstacle.
In a resolute effort to protect Nigeria’s agricultural sector, Adeniyi has strategically assigned capable personnel to the nation’s borders, issuing a stringent directive that anyone attempting to undermine the Nigerian economy is seen as an enemy and will face no leniency. This has resulted in tighter border security and has enabled local producers to flourish, attracting increased investment in vital sectors, especially agriculture.
Internally, CGC Adewale is effecting a groundbreaking reform of the customs workforce by emphasizing professionalism and ethical standards. He has initiated extensive training programs focused on customs law, risk assessment, and technology, aiming to cultivate a skilled workforce equipped to tackle contemporary customs challenges.
His unwavering stance against corruption, coupled with a strong emphasis on accountability, seeks to restore public confidence in the Nigeria Customs Service. By fostering a culture steeped in ethics, CGC Adewale aspires to elevate the agency into one that commands respect for its integrity and fairness.
Adeniyi also recognizes the significance of collaboration; thus, he actively partners with other agencies to forge a synergistic relationship, sharing intelligence that effectively combats smuggling and enhances the interception of illegal goods. The agency has recently reported seizures worth billions while intercepting arms and ammunition, marking a significant turn in fortunes as he strives to solidify the Customs’ reputation as a reputable agency, reversing the negative narrative that has long surrounded it.
Under his stewardship, he has prioritized the welfare of staff, the development of women, and the motivation of officers, fostering a dedicated workforce eager to protect the nation from economic sabotage. Significant seizures from petroleum products to endangered species parts, such as pangolin scales, donkey skins, and elephant tusks, alongside smuggled vehicles, have underscored Adeniyi’s commitment to elevating the agency above others. The digitalization of key customs processes has made trade more efficient, decreasing unnecessary human interaction to minimize corruption.
Despite the considerable challenges faced, during Adeniyi’s tenure, Customs has remarkably generated an impressive N5,079,455,088,194.38, exceeding the 2024 target of N5 trillion. As part of ongoing reform measures, six beneficiaries of the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) program have been selected, with an additional 21 requests processed under an advance ruling initiative designed to expedite customs decision-making on import and export cargoes before they arrive at the ports.
Adeniyi’s significant strides, alongside streamlined cargo alerts, have begun to reshuffle the customs landscape in Nigeria, introducing hope and renewed purpose to this vital service.
Beyond the realm of security, the collaborative efforts extend into vital economic initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This ambitious project aims to create a cohesive market across the continent, fostering seamless trade among African nations.
Adewale’s significant involvement in the development of AfCFTA-related policies highlights his unwavering commitment to transforming the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) into an agency that not only facilitates economic integration but also harmonizes customs standards across Africa.
This harmonization is crucial for streamlining trade flows and unlocking a plethora of economic opportunities. Despite facing fierce opposition and deliberate campaigns aimed at undermining his reputation, Adeniyi has remained resolute, undeterred by the negative tactics employed by his detractors.
He continues to focus on his responsibilities with diligence and integrity. While some have resorted to disparagement, Adeniyi has made sizable advancements toward realizing his ambitious vision of elevating the customs service to an esteemed position on a global scale.
This commitment to progress is exemplified through the ongoing Comptroller of Customs conference, aptly themed “Nigeria Customs Service: Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose.” This conference, which had been previously halted for several years, has been revived since Adeniyi took the helm, offering the NCS a platform to engage in meaningful discussions.
It serves as an opportunity to reassess strategies, ensuring the agency remains afloat and true to its potential in enhancing trade facilitation while also safeguarding our local economy.
True to the adage that the reward for a job well done is more work, Adeniyi is prepared to meet the challenges head-on, ready to deliver exceptional results regardless of the circumstances. The Nigeria Customs Service has never experienced such a level of organization and efficiency since its inception, earning it recognition as one of the most structured agencies in Nigeria today. This achievement is a testament to Adeniyi’s dedication and commitment to promoting excellence and prosperity within the service.
