Tinubu extends Customs CG Adeniyi’s tenure by six months

By Dare Babalola

President Bola Tinubu has approved a six-month extension of the tenure of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, to enable him complete key ongoing reforms and ensure a smooth leadership transition within the service.

The extension, described as final, will take effect from August 1, 2026, when Adeniyi’s current tenure was due to expire, and will run until February 2027.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the extension is aimed at allowing the Customs boss to consolidate the implementation of the National Single Window initiative, a major trade facilitation project designed to improve efficiency in cargo clearance and enhance revenue generation.

The Presidency also said the additional six months would 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 and ensure compliance with statutory retirement requirements.

The statement noted that officers who have attained the mandatory retirement age of 60 years or have completed 35 years in service will be retired in line with existing regulations.

Adeniyi was appointed Comptroller-General of Customs by President Tinubu in June 2023 following a distinguished career spanning several decades in the service.

A graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, he joined the Nigeria Customs Service in the late 1980s and steadily rose through the ranks.

He was promoted to the rank of Deputy Comptroller in 2012 and became a Comptroller in 2017. In 2020, he attained the position of Assistant Comptroller-General before being appointed Acting Deputy Comptroller-General in January 2023.

His elevation to Comptroller-General came six months later when President Tinubu appointed him to lead the service as part of efforts to strengthen customs administration, boost revenue collection and improve trade facilitation.

The Presidency expressed confidence that the tenure extension would support the completion of ongoing reforms and help maintain stability within the Nigeria Customs Service during the transition period.