President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a one-year extension for the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, whose current tenure was set to expire on August 31, 2025. The extension is aimed at providing continuity for critical reforms and modernisation initiatives within the customs service.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, July 31, 2025, through a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy.
Driving Reform and Institutional Modernisation
According to the presidency, the decision to extend Mr. Adeniyi’s tenure is rooted in the administration’s commitment to sustaining progress on several high-impact projects initiated under his leadership. These include:
- Comprehensive modernisation of the Nigeria Customs Service, with a focus on digital infrastructure, automation of border operations, and staff training.
- Implementation of the National Single Window (NSW) Project, which aims to streamline trade by integrating all trade-related agencies into a single digital platform, reducing bureaucracy and corruption at ports.
- Execution of Nigeria’s commitments under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, especially in enhancing trade facilitation, transparency, and regional cooperation.
“President Tinubu recognises Mr. Adeniyi’s steadfast leadership and commitment to service,” Onanuga stated. “The President is confident that the extension will further strengthen the Nigeria Customs Service in delivering on its core mandates of trade facilitation, revenue generation, and national border security.”
From Acting CG to Full Confirmation
Adewale Adeniyi was first appointed in an acting capacity by President Tinubu in June 2023, shortly after the retirement of his predecessor, Hameed Ali. Four months later, on October 20, 2023, the presidency confirmed Adeniyi as the substantive Comptroller-General.
That confirmation was conveyed by Willie Bassey, Director of Information in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), who noted that the appointment was in line with extant provisions of Nigeria’s Public Service Rules (PSR). The appointment officially took effect from October 19, 2023.
A Career Customs Officer with Global Credentials
Adeniyi, who holds the national honour of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR), is widely respected within and outside Nigeria’s public service ecosystem for his professionalism and reform-oriented leadership style. He brings over three decades of experience in customs administration, international trade, public relations, and institutional capacity building.
Before becoming CG, Adeniyi served as the NCS’s National Public Relations Officer and led various reform teams, including Nigeria’s delegation to the World Customs Organization (WCO) on modernization and customs cooperation.
Stakeholder Reactions and Industry Implications
Trade experts and stakeholders across the private sector have generally welcomed the news of Adeniyi’s tenure extension. According to Muda Yusuf, Director of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), the extension is “a well-considered move that aligns with the urgent need for continuity and stability in key trade institutions.”
“The Customs Service is at a turning point. From automation of port clearance to AfCFTA obligations, Nigeria can’t afford leadership disruption at this moment,” Yusuf told The Guardian Nigeria. “Adeniyi has shown the will and competence to execute reforms.”
Shipping and logistics companies also expressed hope that the extension would fast-track the long-awaited National Single Window system, which experts say could save Nigeria over $2.7 billion annually in trade inefficiencies.
Looking Ahead
As Nigeria continues to position itself as a major player in African trade, particularly under the AfCFTA framework, Adeniyi’s extended leadership offers a window of opportunity to deepen customs reform, strengthen border control, and reduce illicit trade.
For President Tinubu, the move signals a focus on consolidating institutional reforms rather than shuffling leadership at a critical juncture.
