By ebosele@hotmail.com
President Bola Tinubu has approved a final six-month extension of the tenure of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, to enable him consolidate ongoing reforms and ensure a smooth leadership transition within the Service.
The extension, which takes effect after the expiration of Adeniyi’s current tenure on August 1, 2026, will run until February 2027.
Announcing the development on Friday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the extension was granted to allow the Customs boss complete key initiatives, particularly the implementation of the National Single Window project, a major trade facilitation programme aimed at enhancing efficiency in cargo clearance and boosting government revenue.
According to Onanuga, the additional six months will also provide adequate time for an orderly succession process within the Nigeria Customs Service.
During the transition period, Adeniyi is expected to work closely with the Nigeria Customs Service Board to oversee the promotion of qualified officers to the rank of Comptroller of Customs, while ensuring the compulsory retirement of officers who have attained the statutory retirement age of 60 years or have completed 35 years in service.
Adeniyi, a seasoned customs officer, joined the Nigeria Customs Service after graduating from the Obafemi Awolowo University in the late 1980s.
Over the years, he steadily rose through the ranks, becoming Deputy Comptroller in 2012, Comptroller in 2017, Assistant Comptroller-General in 2020, and Acting Deputy Comptroller-General in January 2023.
President Tinubu appointed him Comptroller-General of Customs in June 2023, a position from which he has led several reforms aimed at modernising customs operations, improving revenue collection, and strengthening trade facilitation across the country.
The latest tenure extension is expected to provide continuity for ongoing reforms while paving the way for a seamless leadership transition in one of Nigeria’s key revenue-generating agencies.
