The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service and Chairperson of the World Customs Organization Council, Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional Customs modernisation, collaboration, and collective growth across West and Central Africa.
Adeniyi made the remarks during the 32nd Conference of Directors-General of Customs for the West and Central Africa (WCA) Region, held from May 7 to 8, 2026, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Speaking at the high-level gathering, the Customs boss stressed that Nigeria’s leadership role within the region is guided by unity, inclusiveness, and shared progress among member states.
“This chairmanship is not mine. It belongs to the region that sent me,” Adeniyi stated. “Anytime I take the chair, I take it on behalf of every administration represented in this hall. That is the truth of it, and that is the spirit in which I serve.”
He noted that the WCA region has maintained a unique tradition of rotational inclusiveness, where every member nation, regardless of size, is given the opportunity to lead.
“Our region has a quiet but powerful tradition. Every member, big or small, takes its turn. The right to host is not negotiated. We pass the baton from one capital to the next, and in the passing, we remind ourselves of who we are,” he said.
Adeniyi described the culture of inclusiveness as one of the defining strengths of the region, adding that it has fostered a level of cohesion admired by other regional blocs.
The Comptroller-General also commended the Secretary-General of the WCO for sustaining an inclusive modernisation agenda that ensures all regions remain actively represented in global Customs reforms. He further acknowledged members of the WCO Policy Commission from the West and Central Africa Region for championing the interests of member states in international Customs policy discussions.
The conference was officially declared open by the President of Sierra Leone and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Julius Maada Bio, who emphasised the need for stronger regional collaboration to enhance trade facilitation, border security, and economic integration across West and Central Africa.
Held under the theme, “A Customs Service that Protects Society Through its Vigilance and Commitment,” the conference focused heavily on digital transformation and intelligence-led Customs operations aimed at strengthening border protection and combating illicit trade.
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Finance, while addressing delegates, described Customs administrations as the protective shield of modern states and outlined the country’s ongoing modernisation initiatives. These include the upgrade of ASYCUDA World, implementation of a Single Window Customs and Ports Community System, and the introduction of Product Tracing and Fiscal Integrity solutions for excisable goods.
Throughout the two-day conference, delegates reviewed reports from the WCO Secretariat and the Regional Working Group on the Private Sector. Discussions centred on harmonising Customs procedures across borders, enhancing real-time information sharing, tackling illicit trade, and improving administrative efficiency through budgetary and audit reforms.
Digital transformation remained a dominant theme, with participants highlighting the importance of Single Window implementation, the ECOWAS SIGMAT framework for transit verification, and the operational implications of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on Customs harmonisation, risk management, and data exchange.
Delegates agreed that while regional trade integration is critical to economic growth, effective border controls and coordinated intelligence-sharing mechanisms are equally essential in addressing illicit trade and transnational crimes.
The conference also underscored the need for robust Customs systems capable of facilitating legitimate trade while safeguarding regional trade corridors from abuse.
The discussions aligned closely with the ongoing modernisation efforts of the Nigeria Customs Service, particularly in the areas of automation, intelligence-led operations, and regional cooperation.
Meanwhile, the Conference concluded with the election of the Central African Republic as the new Vice Chair for the WCO West and Central Africa Region, succeeding Mali after the completion of its two-year tenure.
