Customs, Stakeholders Express huge Relief, Joy over Adeniyi’s One Year Extension … Says the move will consolidate ongoing NCS reforms, initiatives

Customs, Stakeholders Express huge Relief, Joy over CG Adeniyi One Year Extension

… Says the move will consolidate NCS ongoing reforms, initiatives

By Felix Kumuyi

Nigeria President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,

Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashire Adewale Adeniyi, MFR

There is palpable relief and joy across the nation’s maritime industry when the highly anticipated news of One year extension of service of Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR broke out yesterday as approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Adeniyi, whose tenure was due to expire in August 31, 2025, having attained the mandatory civil service retirement 60 years of age, after just spending Two (2) years on the saddle as customs CG, have just been giving another one year addition, which extensively is expected to consolidate on the ongoing critical reforms and initiative of his administration, which are key developmental drivers of the sector.

Stakeholders and various senior officers, especially Customs Area Controllers are visibly in jubilation mood over the highly clamoured extension, as many said the service under his watch had gained tremendous growth and recognition nationally and globally.

Several maritime Chieftains and customs brokers’, such as Prince Olayiwola Shittu JP, a former President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Ozo Chukwura, another ANLCA stalwart, Dr Aniebonam, Founder NAGAFF, and many others have hailed and congratulated the CGC on the well-deserved extension.

While the CACs like Comptrollers Babatunde Olomu PhD, of Apapa Command, TinCan Island’s Frank Onyeka, MS Shuaibu of FOU Zone ‘A’, Arc TM Daniyan of PTML, Godwin Otunla of Ogun Area 1 Command, among others were all elated at the news of extension, noting that it was highly anticipated, expected and will ultimately do the nation good.

CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has over the last two years continued to be in the news for the right reasons. His tenure has brought to bear significant turnaround in the NCS, and characterised with floods of unprecedented revenue collection across board to the federation purse, barrage of offensive seizures, most of which are capable of undermining the nation’s coexistence, robust interagency/stakeholders collaboration, improved officers welfare, others

His leadership has as well initiated and consolidated on several laudable reforms such as B’ODOGWU Modernisation Clearing Scheme, ‘Customs Cares’ CSR, AFCFTA, NSW, etc.

According to Mr President in the State House Press Release signed by his Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, the extension, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, will enable Mr. Adeniyi to consolidate ongoing reforms and complete critical initiatives of his administration, some of which include; “The modernisation of the Nigeria Customs Service; The implementation of the National Single Window Project and; The execution of Nigeria’s obligations under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) protocol”.

The President also recognises CGC Adeniyi’s steadfast leadership and commitment to service, describing him as dedicated reformer with a proven track record.

“The President is confident that this extension will further strengthen the Nigeria Customs Service in achieving its strategic mandate of trade facilitation, revenue generation, and border security”, the statement said.

The President was however commended for aside from his conviction, for heeding to the voices of many who had in various foras, clamoured for the extension, and also for its timeliness to foreclose the many hawks that are nursing such ambition to rest and avoid unwarranted distractions at least for the next one year.

It would be recalled that, Adeniyi took over from former CG, Col. Hameed Alli, in June 2023.