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Adewale Adeniyi: Crusader for trade liberalisation, modern customs operations 

Funso Olojo 
Adewale Adeniyi, the 14th indigenous Comptroller-General of Customs and 31st since the establishment of Customs in 1891, is vigorously but steadily prosecuting a new order in the agency.
A new order in customs operations and administration, aided by the revolutionary Customs Act of 2023 and engendered through far-reaching reforms that are unprecedented in the service.
A reformation agenda that is meant to berth modern customs administration in the country.
No sooner was he appointed as Acting CGC by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in June 2023 than he hit the ground running to change the face of the Customs.
As if he was impatient to transform the operations of the agency and lend it to the aspirations of the trading public, Adeniyi triggered a flurry of activities that made the operations of customs buzzing with pulsating intensity.
Pronto, he announced the disbandment of the notorious CGC strike force used by the previous customs administrations to terrorise importers and their agents and which encumbered the clearing process.
He also went on to streamline the multiplicity of customs checkpoints hitherto used as points for extortions.
All these measures are meant to remove the encumbrances in the process of goods clearance and delivery system to facilitate trade.
The confirmation of his appointment as the substantive Customs boss in October 2023 only helped to galvanise him more to carry out his crusade for modern customs operations with higher velocity.
Eager to align Nigeria Customs with modern tools for customs operations and administration as enunciated by the World Customs Organization(WCO), Adeniyi activated the use of twin modern tools for trade facilitation which are Authorized Economic  Operator(AEO) and Advance Ruling concepts.
An Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) is a designation that is granted by customs authorities to economic operators established in the customs territory of the European Union, who are part of the international supply chain, involved in customs-related operations and who have met certain standards of security and compliance.
AEO status is granted by customs authorities once the economic operator meets certain prescribed requirements and criteria.
AEOs are considered, from a customs procedures perspective, to be low-risk and are granted benefits such as expedited clearance, reduced inspections, and easier access to simplified customs procedures.
The AEO programme is designed to enhance international supply chain security and facilitate legitimate trade.
Similarly, Advance Ruling is a concept wherein the Customs Administration provides a written decision upon request from the importer concerning valuation, tariff classification, or origin of goods before they are imported.
Advance Ruling has been proven as a valuable tool for trade facilitation, benefiting both Customs administration and traders.
It enhances predictability and certainty in Customs treatment for goods.
This procedure also promotes cooperation and confidence between Customs and traders, following the guidelines set out by the World Customs Organisation Safe Framework of Standards.
 WCO has over the years encouraged its member- nations to take advantage of these tools for facilitating modern and legitimate trade.
However previous customs administrations in Nigeria had consistently ignored the WCO advice, thus making goods clearance and delivery system cumbersome.
But desirous of changing the narrative in customs operations and administration, the NCS, at the prompting of CGC Adeniyi, gave vent to these modernisation tools which he hoped to deploy for enhanced performance.
So, in one fell swoop, the customs launched the use of AEO and Advance Ruling concepts in the first quarter of 2024, asking the trading public to take advantage of these modern tools for trade facilitation.
As a follow-up to this, the Customs management established a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the implementation of Advance Ruling.
The decision was reached during the 6th Management Meeting of the NCS held on August 23, 2023.
The basis for this SOP lies in Section 24 sub-sections 1-9 of the new NCS Act, 2023, and Article 3 of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).
Similarly and during the same period, the Service launched a Time Release Study (TRS) to enhance the quick release of goods by determining the time actual time goods leave customs control.
The World Customs Organisation’s Time Release Study is a strategic and internationally recognised tool to measure the actual time required for the release and /or clearance of goods from the time of arrival until the physical release of cargo with a view to finding bottlenecks in the trade flow process and taking necessary measures to improve.
Not done in his passionate efforts to enthrone efficiency in customs operations, Adeniyi said the service is committed to implementing the Lagos Continental Document produced through intensive stakeholders’ engagement and participation at the December CGC conference.
According to him, such measures as the resolution of multiple alerts, deduction of Customs’ multiple checkpoints and improvement of officers conduct are vigorously being pursued.
“The Lagos Continental Declaration document was a product of exhaustive consultations with stakeholders during.
” This document is presently undergoing implementation.
“Initial measures, including the resolution of multiple alerts, reduction of customs checkpoints, and improvement of officer conduct, have been actively undertaken.
” Additional components of the declaration will be pursued with thoroughness, and we anticipate completing due diligence by the end of the first quarter of this year”
All these measures are meant to give the trading public an efficient service delivery rooted in the use of modern tools for customs operations.
Added to these initiatives is the establishment of Customs laboratory.
”All these activities, centred on stakeholders,as previously committed, will soon be fully operational, illustrating our dedication concrete action” the CGC said.
He however gave a caveat that only compliant traders will enjoy enhanced Customs operations as his administration will not compromise strict adherence to Customs guidelines and regulations.
The icing on the cake of the CGC’s efforts to enthrone modern, efficient and customer-sensitive customs was his recent trip to China.
The China trip was strategic to his crusade for modernisation of customs operations and administration as it coincided with the 6th WCO Global AEO Conference, held between Wednesday, 8 to 10 May 2024.
The CGC leveraged his attendance to sell modernisation programme of NCS to the international world.
He also used the platform to integrate Nigeria’s fledging AEO programme into mainstream international practice.
Adeniyi also told his international audience the determination of his administration to nurture AEO programme from its present infancy stage in Nigeria to the full-fledged maturity stage that will be deployed to facilitate and expand the frontier of trade in the country.
While in China, Adeniyi led his management team to the Headquarters of Huawei, a famous information and communications technology company in Shenzhen, China, where he discussed opportunities embedded in the Nigeria Customs Service Trade Modernisation Project.
His discussion with the IT giant centered around his passion to modernise customs operations and administration.
 
Similarly, in China, NCS, led by Adeniyi, signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) to foster bilateral relationship for the enhancement of economic growth.
This MoU was instructive given the volume of trade between Nigeria and China. From statistics, Nigeria is a net importer of Chinese goods and services.
Therefore, the Customs MoU with China will not only strengthen bilateral trade agreement between the two countries, but it will also help Nigeria’s business community which has China as its business hub.
The MoU will also probably stem the tide of some of the fake products imported from China by unscrupulous Nigerian importers.
So far, Adeniyi has shown an uncommon passion for leading modern, automated and digitalized customs that is committed to the facilitation of trade and removing any identifiable encumbrances in the goods clearance and delivery system.
His commitment to enhancing trade facilitation through the deployment of modern customs tools is rooted in his belief, and rightly so, that trade facilitation will enhance revenue collection as espoused by the WCO.
Little wonder that during his less than a year of stewardship, the revenue performance of the customs has grown exponentially.
In the first quarter of 2024, the service recorded over N1.3 trillion in revenue,  representing an increase of 122.35% compared to the figure for last year.
During this period, the service witnessed astronomical growth in revenue collection with a significant increase in January 2024 with N390.824 billion earned, marking a 95.6% rise from January 2023’s N199.81 billion.
The revenue growth rates for February and March 2024 stood at 138.68% and 132.76% respectively when compared to the same months in 2023.
This also explains why the CGC was confident that the service would be able to meet the 2024 revenue target of 5 trillion with his highly motivated and determined team of men and officers of the service.
The 2024 target was higher than 2023 figures of N3.67 trillion from which the service collected N3.21 trillion.
However, to whom much is expected, much is given.
This reversed axiom signposts the officers’ welfare programme under CGC.
To enhance their performance, deserving men and officers have been rewarded with promotions and appointments to higher ranks, the quantum and rapidity of which was described as unprecedented in the history of the Service.
When Adeniyi assumed duties in 2023, he promised officers that they would be given their dues.
As promised, there were promotion exams in September 2023, two months after he was made an Acting CGC and a month before his appointment was confirmed.
The results for the September promotion exams came out in December, the same year, very unprecedented and a cleared departure from the previous practice of delayed promotions.
Twice in 2024, deserving officers have been given their deserved promotions and appointments.
The first one was in the first quarter of 2024 while the second one this year was the one announced this month, May 2024 where 13 officers in the management cadre were appointed to their next ranks.
In the latest appointment, the customs board confirmed the appointment of five Deputy Comptrollers- General and eight Assistant Comptrollers General of Customs, all of whom have since been decorated.
This was part of the motivational tools adopted by the CGC to galvanise his men and officers to key into his vision of modern Nigeria Customs Service.
With his transformational efforts, Adeniyi is set to bequeath a long-lasting legacy of efficient, modern and automated Nigeria Customs Service on the country and which effects will reverberate till the next generation
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Customs

Korea deepens collaboration with Nigeria Customs, fetes Adeniyi

Funso OLOJO
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea hosted a formal dinner on Thursday, 31 October 2024, in honour of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi and members of his management team at the Embassy in Abuja.
 The event underscored the strengthening of bilateral relations and the shared objectives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Korean authorities.
CGC Adeniyi, accompanied by senior officers including Deputy Comptroller-General (DCG) of Human Resource Development, Greg Itotoh, DCG of Tariff and Trade, Caroline Niagwan, and DCG of ICT-Modernisation, Kikelomo Adeola, expressed his appreciation for Korea’s commitment to partnership. In his address, CGC Adeniyi highlighted the progress achieved through collaboration with the Embassy of Korea and other allied agencies, noting how these relationships have enhanced the NCS’s capacity to adopt advanced technologies.
“It is due to our dedicated partnerships that the NCS is now engaged in data analytics programmes, in alignment with World Customs Organization standards,” CGC Adeniyi stated. He elaborated on how these analytics enable the Service to make informed decisions, benefiting from predictive, descriptive, and prescriptive insights. “Learning from global leaders, like Korean Customs, has empowered us to adapt and refine our data-driven strategies,” he added.
The Korean Ambassador, His Excellency Kim Pankym, commended the CGC and his team for their dedication and expressed optimism about continued collaboration. “We are honoured by the Comptroller-General’s presence here tonight, and we look forward to further strengthening ties with the Nigeria Customs Service,” Ambassador Pankym said.
He emphasised the Embassy’s commitment to supporting the growth and modernisation of the NCS.
In his remarks, DCG Greg Itoto expressed the Service’s appreciation for Korea’s proactive engagement with NCS initiatives. “The Embassy’s support and willingness to partner with us are instrumental in driving our Service to greater heights.
“We look forward to continued growth through these collaborations,” Itotoh stated.
The evening reflected the deepening relations between the two nations and affirmed Korea’s dedication to Nigeria’s customs modernisation and capacity-building efforts.
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Customs

Adeniyi pledges to deepen collaboration with NAGAFF as he hosts freight forwarders’ association in Abuja

Funso OLOJO
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, received a delegation from the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) on Tuesday, 29 October 2024, at the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Headquarters in Abuja, led by the association’s National President, High Chief Tochukwu Ezisi.
In his address, CGC Adeniyi expressed enthusiasm about the visit and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the partnership between the NCS and NAGAFF.
He stated, “These are all possibilities, and we will be willing to work with you.”
The Customs Chief praised NAGAFF’s resilience and dedication to exploring areas of mutual interest, identifying potential opportunities for collaboration, and emphasising the importance of their ongoing engagements in fostering effective partnerships.
CGC Adeniyi provided the delegation with an update on the Nigeria Customs Service’s transformative initiatives to enhance trade facilitation, border security, and technology integration.
He highlighted several projects currently being pursued to improve operational efficiency.
The Comptroller-General also confirmed his intention to attend NAGAFF’s upcoming Silver Jubilee Anniversary to recognise significant role as a key stakeholder in customs operations and policy implementation.
Earlier, NAGAFF’s National President, Chief Tochukwu Ezisi, congratulated CGC Adeniyi and his team for their contributions to national economic growth and security.
He said, “Your remarkable achievements since assuming office cannot be overstated.”
Regarding the upcoming Silver Jubilee Anniversary, Ezisi highlighted NAGAFF’s longstanding partnership with the Nigeria Customs Service, which has spanned 25 years, and formally invited CGC Adeniyi to attend the event.
He further assured the CGC of NAGAFF’s active participation in the forthcoming CGC Conference, including unveiling the association’s newly acquired N500 million Secretariat.
The NAGAFF delegation included Chief Afam Chukwuma, Deputy National President (Seaport) and Chairman of the Organising Committee for the Silver Jubilee; Igwe Kingsley, National Secretary; Princess Chi Eze, National Vice President (Western Port); and Melody Obehi, National Treasurer, among others.
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Customs

Adeniyi reads riot act to newly inaugurated  ACTU members in Abuja as  Customs partners NIIA to train senior officers in global trade

Funso OLOJO 
As part of ongoing efforts to enhance integrity and transparency in Customs operations, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), on Thursday, 25 July 2024, read a riot act to the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) members at the Nigeria Customs Headquarters in Abuja shortly after the inauguration.
This initiative follows the recent partnership between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs (DCG) in charge of Enforcement, Investigation, and Inspection, Aliyu Alajogun, the CGC emphasised the importance of tackling corruption and other related offences head-on.
Addressing the ICPC delegation, DCG Alajogun stated, “We are tasked with ensuring that our operations are free from corruption and that we uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct in all our dealings to ensure a far-reaching impact on our economic stability and international reputation.”
He urged the newly inaugurated members to adhere to the standards of their new roles, adding, “You are the frontline defenders against corruption and environmental degradation.
” Each of you has been selected for your expertise, integrity, and dedication to public service. Together, you will lead initiatives that foster accountability and restore public trust.”
He continued, “As you embark on this journey, always remember that your efforts contribute to the Nigeria Customs Service and the larger objective of preserving our environment for future generations.
“I urge you to embrace collaboration with other stakeholders, leverage technology, and enact innovative strategies to combat environmental crimes.”
On behalf of the ICPC, Olusegun Adigun, the Acting Director of the System Study and Review Department, praised the Comptroller-General of Customs for his commitment to enhancing the transparency and integrity of the Service through this partnership, which led to the inauguration of the new ACTU members.
“I must commend the Comptroller-General of Customs for today’s inauguration,” he remarked.
“It is hoped that this event will empower the unit to deliver on its mandate, which includes periodic staff training on anti-corruption and the examination of system processes.”
Adigun charged NCS Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit members to maintain integrity, exercise their duties responsibly, and avoid any form of oppression as they fulfil the strategic roles expected of them.
Expressing the Commission’s gratitude to the Nigeria Customs Service for making the event a reality, he added, “We hope that achieving our collective vision will assist in building strong institutions for the overall good of our great nation.”
Corroborating this, the newly inaugurated ACTU Chairman, Comptroller of Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), Comptroller Emmanuel Osogba, pledged to implement policies aimed at enhancing the transparency of Customs operations across the Service’s formations while maintaining NCS standards.
“Our focus will be on establishing clear guidelines for transparency, enhancing mechanisms for reporting misconduct, and engaging with different departments and units within the Service to foster trust and participation,”
Comptroller Osogba said. “Together, we can create a legacy of integrity and transparency that engenders a positive perception among the public and improves our rating on the transparency and integrity index—a legacy that future generations will cherish.”
The newly inaugurated ACTU members took the Oath of Allegiance, administered by Barrister Nkem Ezenwa, Director of the Anti-Corruption Unit. Their tenure will span three years, after which a new regime will be appointed.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), has taken a significant step towards enhancing the country’s trade and investment landscape with the launch of the Bashir Adeniyi Centre for International Trade and Investment.
The centre, named after the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, was inaugurated in Lagos at the NIIA on Thursday, 24 October 2024.
The CGC expressed optimism about the centre’s potential, saying, “The establishment of this Centre comes at an opportune time as Nigeria is repositioning itself in the global trade environment. “As we continue to advance these initiatives, I envision that this Centre will evolve into a comprehensive national think tank focused on international trade and investment.”
In his welcome address, the Director General of NIIA, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, acknowledged that the centre will serve as a finishing school for senior customs officers.
“Today, we are very pleased as an Institute to announce to the world that we now have the Bashir Adeniyi Centre for International Trade and Investment. This centre will serve as a finishing school for senior officers in customs, offering senior executive courses that will be certificated. Because this is the NIIA, we will do this as a global affair, properly immersing the Nigeria Customs Service in the framework of the World Customs Organisation,” he stated.
The event featured a panel discussion with eminent Nigerians, including Donald Duke and Dr Chinyere Almona, examining the challenges and solutions for Nigeria’s economy regarding trade and investment.
Speaking to reporters about the benefits of the centre, the CGC emphasised its importance, saying, “We have a strong commitment to our mandate of trade facilitation, among other things, so we believe that the centre will be a centre of excellence in building capacity and, most importantly, creating awareness about the necessity of conducting international trade. Trade brings prosperity, and we hope that this centre will foster prosperity through trade.”
The CGC officially unveiled the centre and toured the facility.
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