The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has applauded the outstanding contributions of the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to the effective administration of the NCS, as well as the innovative initiatives he has introduced to strengthen the Service’s efficiency as a leading revenue-generating agency in the country.
NIPR also commended the Customs boss, a former Vice President and Fellow of the Institute for projecting Nigeria’s reputation on both national and global stages following his election as Chairman of the World Customs Organisation (WCO). He was the first Nigerian to lead the intergovernmental organisation, which serves as the highest decision-making body in global customs operations, with headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
At a colourful ceremony on Saturday, November 22, 2025 in Abuja, the President, Chairman of Council of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku, hailed the CGC, who recently received a one-year tenure extension, for deploying public relations as a strategic tool to advance excellence in leadership and governance, positioning Nigeria as a nation to reckon with in administrative dexterity.
“The CGC has deployed public relations to deepen transparency, drive trust, and entrench accountability, contributing to the improved revenue-generating capacity of the Service under his leadership. He has communicated his vision clearly and secured the trust of stakeholders. The NCS under him has experienced transformation.
“At a time when we were celebrating him here in Nigeria, we did not know that the global community had taken judicial notice of his achievements and elected him Chairman of the World Customs Organisation. This is significant to us because at a time when it is assumed that Nigeria’s reputation is going down, it is vital for the world to recognise that Nigeria has given them the best Chairman of the WCO. That is why we must celebrate the gift God has given this nation in a manner that the world will acknowledge,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion and Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, described the Customs boss as a remarkable public servant whose leadership continues to strengthen the integrity, efficiency, and strategic relevance of one of Nigeria’s most critical institutions.
She described his elevation as WCO Chair as a historic milestone, noting that it reflects Nigeria’s growing influence in global trade governance.
“As Minister of State for Finance, I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the far-reaching contributions of the Nigeria Customs Service to fiscal stability and economic management. The reforms being implemented by the NCS, especially under the current CG, align strongly with our national priorities, enhancing revenue generation, trade facilitation, digital transformation, and strengthening border governance and management,” she said.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, also commended CGC Adeniyi, describing him as a gentleman who has taken his responsibilities seriously and demonstrated diligence, hard work, and intelligence.
“He is an example of what Nigeria represents,” the Minister noted. While admitting that the country faces challenges, he urged citizens to collaborate in seeking lasting solutions and emphasised that many positive developments are also emerging from the country.
A former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, while thanking the NIPR for celebrating the Customs CG in a colourful style, appealed to the federal government to intensify efforts toward addressing insecurity in the country.
Prof. Gana, a Fellow of the Institute, further charged members of the professional body to educate government on the need to maintain sound democratic principles as opposed to a one-party system, stressing that this is essential to deepening good governance and social justice.
The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar, CFR, as a Royal Ambassador of the World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) Abuja 2026.
Source: NIPR
Images from the event
