BOAN, AWAEMAP excited over election of CGC Adeniyi as WCO Council Chairperson
The Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN) and the Association of West African Exporters and Maritime Professionals (AWAEMAP) say they are excited over the election of Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, as the Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council.
On Saturday, June 28, 2025, Comptroller General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi was elected at the 145th/146th Sessions of the Customs Co-operation Council at the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. He is the first Nigerian to lead the Council.
The two bodies – BOAN and AWAEMAP – congratulated and rejoiced with the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, on this feat which, they described, as a testament to his excellent leadership.
BOAN and AWAEMAP added that the election is also an indication that various innovative cargo clearance and export facilitation technologies, particularly the export processing command, Adeniyi introduced since his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023 are working effectively.
Hon. Bunmi Olumekun, who is the President of both bodies, expressed this excitement in a statement in Lagos today, was emphatic that the tenure of Adeniyi as WCO Council Chairperson will not only improve the decision making by the WCO Council but will also boost Customs administration in Africa and, more importantly, in Nigeria.
Olumekun said “We congratulate the Comptroller General of Customs as we are exceedingly happy about its significance on our port administration and the national economy.
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“As a strategic partner with the Nigeria Customs Service, we reiterate our commitment to supporting the Comptroller General of Customs and his administration in their drive to boosting international trade and cargo clearance in Nigeria.”
AWAEMAP added “Since assuming office, our export businesses have significantly witnessed tremendous progress and growth, credit to various technological tools and, particularly, the creation of export command strictly for processing exports.
“We are confident that his tenure as WCO Council Chairperson will improve the decision making by the WCO Council and the better for Africa and Nigeria. We call on the Nigerian government to leverage on this golden opportunity to boost the national economy, particularly the export sector.
“At AWAEMAP, we shall continue to collaborate with the Comptroller General of Customs and his administration in making the discharge of their mandate in boosting international trade, particularly export effective.”
In two years, Comptroller General of Customs Adeniyi has increased revenue collections, consistently surpassing budgetary targets, improved relations with various stakeholders, modernised operations and digitalised processes for effectiveness.
CGC Adeniyi takes over the leadership of the Council of WCO from Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service and will officially begin guiding the global institution on July 1, 2025.
