CGC tenure extension crucial for reform consolidation — Group

A maritime research group, Sea Empowerment and Research Centre, has described the six-month tenure extension of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, granted by President Bola Tinubu, as a strategic opportunity to consolidate ongoing reforms, strengthen institutional governance, and ensure a seamless leadership transition within the NCS.

SEREC, in a recent news bulletin signed by its Head of Research, Eugene Nweke, explained that over the past few years, the service has recorded notable progress in revenue generation, trade facilitation, stakeholder engagement, digital transformation, and the implementation of the National Single Window initiative.

The PidomNigeria reported that President Bola Tinubu had on Friday approved a final six-month tenure extension for the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, allowing him to remain in office until February 2027.

The extension was announced in a statement issued on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the statement, Adeniyi’s first tenure extension was due to expire on 1 August 2026, but Tinubu approved an additional six months to enable him complete key reforms within the Customs Service.

Onanuga said the extension was granted “to enable him to consolidate the implementation of the National Single Window and ensure an orderly succession in the service.”

Reacting to this, SEREC maintained that the true measure of enduring leadership lies not only in technological advancements and operational achievements but also in the ability to build strong institutions, nurture future leaders, and entrench a culture of integrity.

“SEREC has received with interest the approval by President Tinubu for a final six-month tenure extension for the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adeniyi. While public opinions may differ regarding the extension, SEREC views the development as a strategic opportunity to consolidate ongoing reforms, strengthen institutional governance, and ensure a seamless leadership transition within the NCS,” it said.

According to SEREC, in addition to his responsibilities as CGC, Adeniyi currently serves as Chairman of the World Customs Organisation Council, the highest decision-making body in global customs administration.

This position, SEREC stressed, 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.

SEREC stressed that it 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.

“SEREC 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,” the group stated.

SEREC also encouraged the customs leadership to consolidate the gains already recorded in the NSW project, 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 group noted that while the NSW remains a critical national assignment, the most enduring legacy of the CGC’s tenure extension should be the deliberate grooming of a new generation of customs leaders anchored on integrity, professionalism, innovation, and service excellence.

“Such a legacy would not only sustain the gains of the current administration but also position the NCS to meet the evolving demands of global trade and border management,” SEREC added.