Abuja: Dr. Raymond Edoh has hailed the appointment of Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) as a significant achievement for Nigeria and Africa.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the WCO Council, which serves as the global decision-making entity for customs administration, officially endorsed Adeniyi as its Chairperson, with his term beginning on July 1. Edoh, a prominent figure in the maritime industry, emphasized the WCO’s crucial role in establishing international customs standards, facilitating global trade, and promoting economic development.
Edoh described Adeniyi’s appointment as a monumental step toward bolstering Nigeria and Africa’s influence on the global stage. He noted that the confidence shown by WCO member states in electing Adeniyi reflects his dedication to advancing international customs cooperation, trade facilitation, and effective border management.
Highlighting the significance of Adeniyi’s historic appointment, Edoh remarked that it affirms his exemplary leadership within the Nigeria Customs Service and underscores Nigeria’s growing prominence in global affairs, particularly in trade and customs administration. He stressed that Adeniyi’s leadership at the WCO would align Nigeria Customs operations more closely with global standards and objectives.
Edoh also underscored the importance of leveraging Adeniyi’s position to maximize benefits for Nigeria and Africa. He urged the government to consider extending Adeniyi’s tenure as Comptroller-General to enhance collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and the WCO, contributing to economic growth and regional security.
Addressing the challenges faced by Nigeria’s customs procedures, Edoh pointed out the need for a digital transformation to combat illicit trade and promote sustainable practices. He emphasized that extending Adeniyi’s tenure is vital for addressing these challenges with comprehensive support from the WCO.
Edoh further highlighted that Adeniyi’s leadership would significantly bolster the capacity of Nigerian customs administration in fostering legitimate global trade. He called on the Nigerian government to seize this opportunity to strengthen international customs cooperation and maintain Nigeria’s position as a leading global trading partner.
He concluded by urging stakeholders to support Adeniyi’s leadership at the WCO by sharing their expertise, technical knowledge, and innovative collaborations to safeguard and sustain the organization and the Nigeria Customs.