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100 days in office: Appreciative stakeholders doff hats for Wale Adeniyi as CGC

—he is the best thing to have happened to Customs –Abdulazeez— he could emerge as the best CGC ever– Akpunonu—-he is a communication strategist –Aniebonam— he is a thoroughbred professional — Tanko .

The Eyewitness reporter
It was a flurry of tributes, commendations and applause by the critical maritime stakeholders for Adewale Adeniyi, the acting Comptroller General of Customs.
Adeniyi, who was appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on June 19th, 2023 to superintendent over the Nigeria Customs Service, marked his first 100 days in office last week.
It was a momentous 100 days of innovative leadership, reformative policies, extensive collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders, inspiring leadership and rejuvenating action that drew applause from the critical stakeholders.
The visibly elated industry operators, especially the confraternity of freight forwarders, were unsparing in their conviction that Adeniyi has brought fresh air to the Nigeria Customs Service.
They were unanimous in their declaration that the new Sheriff in the customs has so far done well.
Babatunde  Mukaila Abdulazeez, the former  National Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents ( ANLCA) who was also the immediate past Sole Administrator of the troubled association, couldn’t hide his feelings over the inspiring leadership of Adeniyi.
“It is a personal roller coaster feeling for me. We have never had it so good.”, he declared when he was asked to assess the performance of Adeniyi in his first 100 days in the saddle as the CGC.
Ada Ozomena Akpunonu, another frontline freight forwarder and a top-notch member of the ANLCA, was no less impressed by the performance of Adeniyi as the CGC.
“He could eventually emerge as the best CGC customs ever had” she declared.
Ibrahim Tanko, the Vice President, the Western Zone of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) who is also the National Coordinator of the 100 compliance team of the association, also acknowledged the uncommon professional ingenuity of the new CGC.
“He has done well so far”, he stated tersely.
Dr Boniface Aniebonam, the legendary founder of NAGAFF was no less enamoured by the sparkling leadership qualities of Adeniyi as displayed within his first 100 days in office.
“He is a communication strategist “, he declared as a matter of fact.
It was not however praises galore as some of these stakeholders have some reservations and offered advice on how the new CGC could scale up his game to improve on his laudable achievements.
Babatunde Mukaila Abdulazeez
“It is a personal roller coaster feeling for me. We had never had it so good.
Wale has shown that he has the capacity and what it takes to take Nigeria Customs to the next level.
He has shown that Nigeria can be at par with the rest of the advanced world in the deployment of trade tools.
In the first 100 days, he has shown uncommon courage, commitment and uncanny knowledge of customs operations and processes that are meant to facilitate trade.
For instance, he introduced what is called the Advance Ruling which holds Customs officers accountable for whatever their position is on pre-importation requests.
I can tell you that it takes courage to do that as no officer would want to be held responsible for his action.
But Adeniyi has done that.
He was the first CG to bell the cat on this novel idea. This shows his courage and passion to transform customs.
Also, he introduced another novel idea by partnering with the Japanese government to establish a laboratory for Nigeria Customs.
The issue of argument on chemical imports will be a thing of the past. This will not only help the customs but the NAFDAC as well.
Adeniyi, in his first 100 days in office, has shown us that he knows what needs to be done and that he is a core professional customs officer.
We can only pray for him to succeed. He has put on the table accountability and transparency.
Ada Ozomena Akpunonu
Wale is a professional customs officer and we all know his rich antecedents.
Unfortunately, he came at a time when Nigeria’s economy is in comatose. This will make his task a bit difficult.
For instance, the exchange rate is too high and the Customs duties are equally high which have both combined to make goods clearance at the port very exorbitant.
I hear that it may soon take an average of N10 million to clear one forty-foot container. Where will people get this kind of money from?
The government should help Adeniyi to succeed by putting policies and programmes that are business-friendly and help to promote trade.
Wale is a team player. He carries everyone along.
Through the deployment of his Area Controllers, he has shown the depth of his managerial acumen because his men at the Area Commands are square pegs in square holes.
By the time he is confirmed as the CGC, he will perform wonders. The atmosphere in the customs now is that of conviviality and sanity.
If not for the instability of the naira and the bastardized economy, Wale could emerge as the best CGC ever.
Ibrahim Tanko  
Wale is doing well as the CGC.
However, an area of concern to me is where he transferred revenue officers from their area of core competence to enforcement and brought enforcement officers to come and man revenue units.
This may affect the revenue generation of the customs because the enforcement officers put in the revenue units do not understand anything about tariffs.
I think he should have given them training before putting them there. Wale will do better if he puts officers in positions in which they are best suited.
However, he has done well in terms of reducing the bottleneck in clearance procedures by reducing the number of units.
For instance, he has disbanded the notorious CG strike force as well as border drills.
He is also working hard to restore the core values of the Federal Operations Units ( FOUs) of the service by enhancing their professionalism.
He is also doing well in the area of checking the excesses of officers.
He is also doing well in attending to pending cases such as seizures, detentions, dismissals and suspensions.
However, I would like him to define and delineate the functions of Customs Police, FOU and Provosts.
Their functions and duties should be well-defined and clearly stated to avoid overlap and clash.
Dr.  Boniface Aniebonam
Wale is a master communication strategist. But unfortunately, he is not communicating well.
I am a Customs officer and a founder of NAGAFF. He needs to feel the pulse of port operations and operators from critical stakeholders in the industry.
He has to address them to sell his mandate to the people.
He should visit ANLCA and NAGAFF, the two frontline associations of freight forwarders where he can discuss revenue, suppression of smuggling activities, trade facilitation and other customs operations. However, I commend him on the disbandment of the CG strike force.
The interventionist squad had abused the customs process under previous customs administrations.
We appreciate him for that. He should also take a very strong stance against avoidable trade alerts from different customs units.
This does not facilitate trade.
He should coordinate and hamonise the alert system and I know as a listening officer, he shall look into this disturbing issue.
He should also take a very strong exception to the wastage of human resources at the zonal offices as a core professional customs officer.
The zonal offices of customs must be functional and proactive while the headquarters should be for policy formulation.
There are lot to still be done.
However, his first 100 days in office are well and good.
He should, however, contact critical stakeholders and partner them by using established platforms such as ANLCA and NAGAFF to reach out to the trading public.
His 100 days in office have been avoidably aggressive in revenue target and collection. But the modern-day customs practice is not about revenue but trade facilitation.
If you raise the compliance level of the trading public, this will lead to high revenue. He should de-emphasize revenue and emphasize trade facilitation which leads to high revenue.
You don’t destroy trade because of your pursuit of revenue.
However, the stakeholders, despite their varying views, were unanimous in their assessment of Wale Adeniyi’s first 100 days in office as the CGC.
They all chorused their agreement that the new sheriff in town has raised the bar in customs administration and put the service on the path of greatness, professionalism, public acceptance and global recognition never witnessed in the over 100 years of the existence of the revenue agency in the country.
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Customs

Apapa Customs records major breakthrough in anti- smuggling operations.

– intercepts 13 containers of harmful pharmaceuticals, other contraband goods worth N6.38billion
Funso OLOJO, Editor 
The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a huge success in its relentless war against traders of illicit products when its officers intercepted 13 containers of harmful pharmaceuticals and other contraband goods.
Unveiling the contraband goods at the APM Terminals,Apapa port on Tuesday, March 10th, 2026, the Comptroller- General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed that the intercepted consignments are worth over N6.38 billion.
Adeniyi, while speaking with Journalists, revealed that the interception and seizures were made possible through intelligence-driven operations supported by cargo scanning technology and targeted physical examination.
He explained that officers detected irregular cargo profiles during routine scanning procedures, prompting detailed physical inspections that uncovered several prohibited and falsely declared consignments.
According to him, among the seizures was a 40-foot container loaded with expired pharmaceutical products, including Mixagrip Cold Caplets, Ladinax tablets, Chloroquine injections and Diclofenac tablets.
Customs officers also intercepted two 40-foot containers filled with unregistered pharmaceutical products, including Hyegra 200 and Sildenafil Citrate.
In another discovery, a 20-foot container carrying 800 cartons of codeine was found carefully concealed inside toilet flushing cisterns and sanitary ware.
Other pharmaceutical seizures included cartons of Artesunate injections, while a separate container was discovered to contain restricted security equipment such as bulletproof vests, helmets, walkie-talkies and tactical torches imported without the required End User Certificates.
The Service also uncovered multiple containers loaded with expired food items, including muffin cookies, 36,000 cans of expired energy drinks, and large quantities of expired tomato paste brands.
In addition, officers seized a 40-foot container containing 1,700 cartons of codeine cough syrup concealed among luxury food flasks.
Another container was found carrying 1,575 cartons of CSMIX with codeine hidden with electric kettles, alongside additional cartons of Co-codamol tablets.
Customs further intercepted 13 jumbo bags of Cannabis Sativa weighing 347.57 kilograms, which were concealed inside a Toyota Sienna vehicle.
Adeniyi described the seizures as a major breakthrough in the Service’s ongoing crackdown on illicit trade and smuggling through Nigeria’s seaports.
He warned that the importation of expired drugs and controlled substances poses serious risks to public health, while the smuggling of codeine-based products contributes to the growing problem of substance abuse.
The Comptroller-General emphasized that under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the seized goods are liable to outright forfeiture, adding that investigations are ongoing and all persons connected to the shipments will face prosecution.
He also stressed that the Service is expanding the use of Non-Intrusive Inspection (cargo scanning) to improve cargo clearance efficiency while strengthening enforcement against high-risk consignments.
According to him, Apapa Port processes thousands of containers daily, making it one of the most strategic trade gateways in West Africa.
“Apapa Port is no longer a playground for smugglers or criminal syndicates hiding behind legitimate trade documentation,” Adeniyi stated.
He assured compliant traders that Customs enforcement is not aimed at legitimate business but at protecting Nigeria’s economy and citizens from dangerous and illegal imports.
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Customs

Dera Nnadi bows out of Customs in a blaze of glory 

Geraldine Samuel, Reporter 
Dera Nnadi, a Deputy Comptroller- General of Customs(rtd), has dropped anchor of service in the Nigeria Customs and graceful bowed out of the agency in a blaze of glory.
In a commemorative retirement ceremony conducted by his appreciative colleagues at the Customs’ Headquarters, Abuja on March 3rd, 2026, Nnadi was pulled out of the Service he has diligently served amidst glowing tributes.
Incidentally, his pull- out ceremony coincided with his 60th birthday.
Leading the management staff, men and officers of the service in paying moving tributes to the retiring Nnadi was the Comptroller- General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, who described DCG(rtd) Nnadi as an exemplary officer whose professionalism, discipline, and commitment to duty significantly strengthened the values and operational effectiveness of the NCS.
According to the CGC, the retirement ceremony provided an opportunity not only to celebrate a successful career but also to appreciate the sacrifices and dedication of officers who devote their lives to safeguarding the nation’s economic and border security interests.
 He noted that Nnadi’s career reflects the core ideals of the Nigeria Customs Service, particularly in leadership, revenue generation and trade facilitation.
“Today is a moment of celebration and reflection. It is also an opportunity for us to thank Almighty God for the grace that has sustained our colleague throughout his years of service,” the CGC said.
The CGC also highlighted the personal and professional bond he shares with the retiree, noting that their relationship extends beyond official duties to family ties.
 He expressed confidence that DCG Nnadi still possesses the energy and experience to continue contributing meaningfully to national development through academic and other professional engagements.
Members of the Service’s management team also paid glowing tributes to the retired DCG, commending his leadership qualities, integrity and mentorship.
 Officers who served under him described him as a dependable leader who provided guidance and encouragement to younger personnel while strengthening the Service’s institutional capacity.
Responding to the honour, DCG Dera Nnadi (Rtd) expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, the management team, officers and Men of the Service for their support and cooperation throughout his career.
He described his years in the NCS as a fulfilling journey of growth, learning and service to the nation.
The ceremony featured the presentation of awards, gift items and commemorative photographs in honour of the distinguished officer.
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Customs

Customs takes charge of implementation of National Single Window project 

– rallies stakeholders for successful take-off 
Funso OLOJO, Editor 
As the preparations for the official launch of National Single Window(NSW) project on March 27th, 2026 gather momentum, the Nigeria Customs service may have been designated as the lead agency to drive the modernisation project.
This much was confirmed by the Director of the Project, Tola Fakolade who  acknowledged the pivotal leadership of the NCS in the implementation process.
At one of the stakeholders sensitisation programmes in Abuja on March 3rd, 2026, Fakolade declared “Our number one stakeholder is the NCS,”
“We have maintained a strong and constructive working relationship.
Customs’ participation and institutional experience are critical to the success of this project.” the project coordinator confirmed.
Confirming the lead role of the NCS, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT and Modernisation, DCG Oluyomi Adebakin, described the NSW as a major milestone in the Service’s ongoing modernisation drive.
She revealed that the NCS has been actively engaged in preparatory work for months to ensure that the framework being developed reflects operational realities and supports seamless implementation.
“This is a national project, but Customs is at the centre of its execution,” DCG Adebakin said.
 “The success of the Single Window depends on collective understanding and cooperation. We must all appreciate its value because we cannot effectively promote what we do not fully understand.”
She reassured officers and stakeholders that the initiative is designed to strengthen institutional capacity rather than replace human resources, explaining that technology will enhance efficiency, transparency, and speed in cargo clearance and trade documentation processes.
Reaffirming the critical role of the service in the implementation of the NSW project, the Comptroller- General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the Abuja stakeholders engagement with airlines and shipping companies held on March 4th, 2026, emphasised the importance of collaboration in ensuring the successful rollout of the initiative.
He noted that the support of critical stakeholders has played a significant role in the achievements recorded in the Service’s modernisation journey so far.
Adeniyi disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated the Service to take a bold step forward towards a successful launch of the National Single Window, a move aimed at positioning Nigeria as a major player in global trade.
 He added that airline and shipping line operators remain vital partners in ensuring a seamless transition to the new system.
He further assured stakeholders that adequate support structures are being put in place to ease the migration process.
“A help desk with well-trained personnel will be available to address any operational challenges that may arise during the rollout”, the Comptroller-General stated.
The NCS described  the National Single Window as a strategic reform that aligns with Customs’ mandate of trade facilitation, revenue generation, and inter-agency coordination.
With the NCS spearheading coordination and stakeholder engagement, the NSW project is expected to transform Nigeria’s trade environment, enhance revenue generation, and strengthen the country’s position in the global trading community.
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