With the exits of Dr Akinwumi Adesina as the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group and Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah, the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), from key global institutions later this year, the recent appointment of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, as the Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council is timely.
As the first Nigerian to assume this position, his emergence signals a growing recognition of Nigeria’s strategic importance in global trade and customs administration. It also underscores the increasing competence of Nigerian technocrats on the world stage. Nigerians are hopeful that the country’s emergence as the leader of the WCO will strengthen ongoing cross-border trade agreement negotiations and enhance regional customs integration.
The significance of leadership and influence in multilateral economic institutions for their domestic economic development is well understood. Regarding international economic organisations, particularly those in Africa, the same may be said for Nigeria. Nigeria’s economic history further supports the significance of multilateral economic capacity: From advocacy for debt relief under Obasanjo, to support from the AfDB, Afreximbank and others. For people to reach their full potential in international politics, support from sovereign authority is essential. In addition to his outstanding work in Africa, Dr Adesina’s tenure as AfDB President has benefited Nigeria in an equitable socio-economic manner through a number of his projects and programmes, the same for Prof. Oramah and others.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, during a recent address at Chatham House in London, made a compelling statement that Africa cannot afford to be a passive observer in the global system. With the distortions in the global economy, having a voice and representation is not only essential but must be done with intent. Tuggar acknowledged that the country must also reconcile its global ambitions with pressing domestic and regional challenges. According to him, security concerns, economic volatility, and governance issues remain central to its foreign policy considerations. At a time of shifting geopolitical alignments, Nigeria seeks to position itself as a driver of international cooperation, shaping global frameworks on governance, trade, and security while ensuring its national interests remain at the forefront.
Adeniyi assumed office as the Comptroller-General in June 2023 and has repositioned the Customs Service for efficiency, accountability, and reform. His tenure has been defined by sweeping digital transformation, transparency in operations, and increased international cooperation. Under his leadership as CG, the NCS strengthened border security, introduced innovative trade facilitation systems, and aligned more closely with international trade protocols. The modernisation of customs operations and the enforcement of smarter anti-smuggling strategies reflect his reformist agenda.
The WCO appointment comes with responsibility. Adeniyi will be providing strategic leadership to the WCO Policy Commission, guiding the global customs agenda and fostering discussions on trade facilitation, revenue optimisation, security, cross-border cooperation, and digital transformation. With 186 member nations looking to the Council for direction in the face of global trade disruptions, Adeniyi must provide balanced leadership. Issues such as supply chain transparency, illicit trade, and customs cooperation in conflict zones demand urgent attention.
The World Customs Organisation (WCO) offers several advantages through its leadership and initiatives. By providing a global forum for customs administrations, the WCO promotes standardisation, cooperation, and capacity building, ultimately leading to more efficient and secure global trade. This includes the development and implementation of international standards, such as the Harmonised System and the SAFE Framework of Standards, which reduce trade barriers and enhance the cross-border movement of goods. How Nigeria navigates this opportunity despite its inherent challenges is key, if it is to maximise the advantage and experience that come from the leadership of the WCO.
Both the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the World Customs Organisation (WCO), according to an official WCO statement, share fundamental responsibilities in areas such as the Harmonised System, rules of origin, customs valuation, trade facilitation—particularly through the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement—technical cooperation, and trade security. In this regard, the Cooperation Agreement, renewed on January 21, 2025, establishes the purpose of “promoting cooperation and the exchange of information on matters of common interest.” The WCO Council made it clear that the WCO is moving toward a modern vision of the Customs function: transparent, ethical, collaborative, and with a strong technological component. The next steps will be guided by a more agile, results-based governance model supported by cooperation between Customs, the private sector, international organisations, and new digital platforms.
Going by the action plans, Nigeria stands to benefit greatly if it deepens its innovation at the NCS. Adeniyi’s position gives the country a front-row seat in setting customs and trade policies, especially within Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). It also strengthens Nigeria’s hand in negotiating cross-border trade agreements and improving regional customs integration. Nigeria’s active participation in the WCO and other multilateral institutions demonstrates its dedication to promoting best practices, enhancing security, and facilitating legitimate trade on a global scale. The election of a Nigerian to such a prominent position within the WCO underscores the country’s growing role in shaping the future of international customs administration and trade facilitation.
History shows that both economic and foreign policy strategies that prioritise sustainable talent pool management are necessary, as is mentorship by individuals with expertise in the highly competitive and merit-based hiring process for top positions in multilateral economic organisations. Since Prof. Oramah, Dr Okonjo-Iweala, and Dr Adesina all had decades of professional experience before taking on leadership roles, the process must be long-term and sustainable. As nations attempt to negotiate their economic trajectories in a shifting global economic system, it is also necessary to assist other Nigerians on a similar course, given the shifts in the international rules-based order as well as the reality of modern geopolitics and geoeconomics.
This appointment should serve as a call to Nigerian institutions and policymakers to invest in leadership development and professional capacity. Ultimately, Adeniyi’s WCO chairmanship is not just a personal accomplishment but a reflection of Nigeria’s potential to lead in global affairs when merit, experience, and vision are given a chance to thrive.
