For the want of a better description, The comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service; Mr Adeniyi Bashir Adewale MFR is a misunderstood man whose detractors never see his coming. He is a man who God kept and preserved for many years away from the shackles of enemies and tides set to sweep him away from his feet before he was unveiled to attain his current status as customs boss. A refined gentle man with a suave and cosmopolitan nature Adeniyi connotes the aura of a man who knows his onions and is ready to deliver against all odds against him.
While his appointment was announced, many who never believed in his ability to deliver are currently biting their fingers in regret because the man who undermined his capacity due to his meek nature is currently working assiduously round the clock to not only generate revenue for the country but also to reposition the Customs service to meet global practice standards. Those who never believed in him have openly commended his effort in combatting the ill is preventing Nigeria from moving forward in terms of border control and smuggling activities. With his proactive was and his pragmatic approach he has gained more friends who admitted that at the pace he is going he will crest his name in the gold as one of the most innovative customs bosses with impeccable achievements to his credit.
During his tenure, Adeniyi a destabilized Nigerian made sure he quickly swayed into action but bringing technological innovation into the discharging of duties by automating valuation, and cargo clearance and making work seamless thereby decongesting our ports and terminals across the country. In terms of seizure, his administration has turned into a nightmare for smugglers who now find it hard to smuggle things into the country with his synergy with other law enforcement sister agencies and his automated ways of gathering intelligence on bursting syndicates of smuggled goods into the shores of Nigeria thereby protecting local production and also generating revenue. He has also ensured staff welfare and also provided an avenue where priority will be placed on staff and their Wives through the relaunch of the Customs Wives Association where those who lost their husbands in the line of duty were taken care of. He also ensured gender equality and gave women wings to soar high in their career progression. As CGC, he understands the rudiments of trade facilitation for economic prosperity as he has constantly kept data on the balance of trade between Nigeria and other partner trading countries which gives Nigeria the advantage to compete with others in terms of where the market for products lies. Adeniyi further took a step forward in by signing an agreement with his Chinese counterpart a trade facilitation agreement which will ensure a bilateral relationship for economic growth between Nigeria and China. The MOU will also boost the import and export of goods and services between the two countries and they will also share data on goods coming in and out of the country to prevent contraband goods, streamlining customs procedures on goods which will grow local production and make SME’s and MSME’s thrive.
