Nigeria’s reform momentum shows Africa ready to shape global customs standards - WCO Chairperson
The Chairperson of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council, Dr Adewale Adeniyi, said his recent election signals a broader recognition of the growing reform-driven credibility of African Customs administrations.
Adeniyi added that Nigeria’s recent modernization efforts served as a strong example of the continent’s readiness to influence global customs policies.
Speaking exclusively on WCO Global interview session, Adeniyi said the confidence expressed in him by member nations reflected not only personal honour, but the significant progress made by Nigeria in aligning its systems, procedures, and priorities with international best practices.
Answering questions on the WCO flagship interactive forum tagged 'the Customs Exchange: Conversations with Global Customs Leaders, Adeniyi, also Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it was a kind of endorsement by the global customs community that they are on track.
``We have been undertaking reforms and modernisation programme in the last two years, and this validates the direction we are taking,'' he said.
He noted that Africa’s customs landscape was rapidly changing, with several administrations leveraging WCO guidance to strengthen trade facilitation, improve revenue outcomes, and enhance border security.
Nigeria’s experience, he said demonstrated how structured reforms, supported by international frameworks, can reposition a national customs service.
Speaking further on the Nigeria experience, Adeniyi pointed to the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme as one of the most transformative initiatives Nigeria had implemented with support from the WCO.
According to him, the scheme has reduced clearance times at ports, improved revenue performance and fostered trusted partnerships with compliant traders—outcomes that reflect the effectiveness of global standards when domesticated with commitment.
He described the SAFE Framework of Standards, the Time Release Study (TRS), and recent work on advance rulings as additional markers of how global customs programme could change narratives, especially in developing economies.
Adeniyi also underscored the importance of the WCO as a stabilising force for customs administrations around the world.
He added that its ability to unify diverse countries around shared priorities economic prosperity, national security, and environmental sustainability made it a unique institution.
``My appointment as WCO is a honour for me and a recognition for the Nigeria Customs Service.
``Nigerian Customs administration has been undertaking some reforms and mordernisation programmes in the last two years.
“So it will also mean that this appointment is a kind of validation of the reforms that we are doing, a kind of endorsement by the global Customs community that we are on track and we are aligning our priorities with that of World Customs Organisation,'' he said.
On the appointment, he felt so excited, as it was a very big responsibility on his part and on the part of Nigeria for the country to shoulder this and provide quality leadership for the world Customs community.
As the first Nigerian to hold the position in nearly two decades, Adeniyi said he was aware of the responsibility his chairmanship placed on his country and the African region.
He pledged to use the platform to elevate the continent’s contributions while fostering an inclusive governance approach within the global customs system.
He encouraged member administrations to continue embracing diversity, describing it as the core strength that would enable the WCO to advance global trade and security objectives.
“Our uniqueness is our strength. We must let this diversity continue to create opportunity and progress for us,'' he said.
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