Maritime
SOME experts have described the six-months extension of service of Bashir Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General (C-G) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as well deserved.
They commended the C-G on Sunday in Abuja for his leadership and inclusive approach to enhancing the operations of the service, driving innovation, particularly through the Trade Modernisation Project and increasing revenue generation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Bola Tinubu had on Friday in a statement approved a final six-months tenure extension for the C-G. from Aug. 1, 2026 to February 2027.
Tinubu said the extension was to enable Adeniyi to consolidate the implementation of the National Single Window (NSW) project and ensure a smooth leadership transition in the Service.
He said that during the period, Adeniyi would work with the NCS Board to oversee the promotion of eligible officers to the rank of Comptroller of Customs.
This would also include the retirement of officers who have attained the mandatory retirement age of 60 years or completed 35 years in service.
A customs expert, Mr Okey Ibeke, said the extension would ensure policy continuity, as the NCS was midway through implementing major reforms affecting health, security, revenue generation and border safety.
Ibeke, the Principal Consultant, International Trade Advisory Services Ltd., said an abrupt leadership change could disrupt the momentum already achieved.
According to him, major achievements recorded under Adeniyi since June 2023 include a 40 per cent rise in narcotics and fake drug interceptions, with cannabis, expired drugs and tramadol worth N60.4 billion seized in June 2026 alone.
He said that beyond protecting public health, the service had recorded seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) exceeding N50 billion annually since 2024, while more than 200 smuggling-related cases were before the courts.
He added that the service documented ISWAP threats at the Babanna border, where NCS officers repelled terrorists ambushes following Premium Motor Spirit seizures.
The consultant said they also recorded a wildlife protection success with the seizure of 130.84kg of elephant tusks worth N126.3 million on June 13, 2026.
Ibeke said the reforms introduced by the C-G were yielding results, but that the additional six months would help consolidate gains, protect citizens’ health and align with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on security.
“What needs six more months to consolidate inlcude Full Scanner Deployment, Complete rollout and integration of non-intrusive scanners at all major ports to cut 100 per cent physical exam delays.
“Special courts, fast-track prosecution framework for smugglers and attackers of officers under NCS Act 2023, Border Community Engagement: Town-hall initiatives in Ogun/Kebbi/Adamawa to reduce smuggler shielding and mob attacks on officers.
“It also includes B’Odogwu Phase 2: Finalise data analytics for predictive enforcement,” he said.
Similarly, the Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC), described the extension as a strategic opportunity to consolidate ongoing reforms, strengthen institutional governance and ensure a seamless leadership transition within the NCS.
The Head of Research, SEREC’s, Eugene Nweke, said that over the past few years, the service had recorded notable progress in revenue generation, trade facilitation, stakeholder engagement, digital transformation and the implementation of the NSW initiative.
He said that beyond the C-G’s responsibilities in the NCS, he also currently serves as Chairman of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, the highest decision-making body in global customs administration.
This position, he said places Nigeria at the forefront of international customs governance and offers a unique platform for advancing global best practices in customs modernisation, trade facilitation, capacity building and institutional integrity.
According to him, SEREC considers the tenure extension beneficial not only for the completion of key domestic reform initiatives but also for ensuring continuity in Nigeria’s leadership role within the global customs community.
“The centre expects that the knowledge, experience and strategic insights gained through this international responsibility will be further deployed to strengthen the NCS and enhance Nigeria’s standing as a leading customs administration in Africa.
“As the service prepares for a new phase of leadership through the promotion of eligible officers and the retirement of senior personnel, SEREC urges the C-G and the Customs Board to place premium emphasis on merit,” he said.
He said that the extension tenure should be utilised to institutionalise a robust culture of transparency, accountability, discipline and ethical leadership across all formations of the service.
He urged the C-G to deepen stakeholder engagement, strengthen inter-agency collaboration, improve trade facilitation outcomes and ensure that reform initiatives become institutional assets rather than personality-driven accomplishments.
The opportunity, he said, now exists for the C-G to consolidate reforms, strengthen succession planning, deepen integrity-based leadership and leave behind a service that was technologically advanced, ethically grounded, globally respected and prepared for the future.
Dr Abdullahi Jabi, the Chairman of the North Central Zone of the Campaign for Democracy Human Rights Advocacy Civil Society of Nigeria, said the NCS C-G had increased revenue generation as well as improved infrastructure, and the welfare and logistics capacity of personnel,” he said. (NAN)
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Tags: Customs CG Experts Extension