WCO: Afam Chukwuma Lauds CGC Adeniyi’s Chairmanship as Transformative Milestone for Nigeria Customs, Boost to Economy
The Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (left) and Chief Executive Officer of International Supply Chain Systems (ISCS) Limited, Afam Chukwuma
The CEO/Managing Director of International Supply Chain Systems (ISCS) Limited and Deputy National President (Seaport) of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Chief Amb. (Dr.) Afam Chukwuma, has lauded the appointment of the Controller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, as the Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation describing it as a transformative milestone for Nigeria’s customs sector and boost to the economy.
Chukwuma made this commendation in his congratulatory message to the CGC, adding that it a golden opportunity to reposition the country’s trade ecosystem for greater global competitiveness.
Extending his warm congratulations to Adeniyi on this historic appointment as the head of the WCO, he said: “This remarkable achievement reflects the CGC’s resilience and leadership excellence. His contributions to trade facilitation and customs transformation in Nigeria have now received global recognition”.
He emphasised that the appointment marks not only a personal milestone for Adeniyi, but also a significant opportunity for Nigeria to advance its customs operations through global collaboration. According to Chukwuma, engaging with international customs bodies, particularly those in Europe and North America will expose the CGC to world-class operational standards, such as 24 to 48 hour cargo clearance, paperless trade systems, and robust technological infrastructure.
He noted that “the CGC will now be seated at the head of an organisation where efficiency and innovation are the norm. This will undoubtedly motivate him to adopt best practices and apply them to improve Nigeria’s customs service. It’s a win-win for our economy”.
The NAGAFF (Seaport) Deputy National President further stated that improved clearance processes and streamlined trade policies would reduce the cost of doing business, attract more international partners, and lead to a surge in trade volume ultimately boosting Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and foreign exchange earnings.
On exports, he highlighted that the CGC’s exposure to global export-driven economies will inspire a push toward export growth and self-sufficiency in Nigeria.
“You can’t chair meetings where countries boast of export surpluses while leading a system that is import-dependent. This role will challenge and inspire the CGC to elevate Nigeria’s trade balance”, he concluded.
