The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, Adewale Adeniyi, has recorded a historic milestone on the global stage, delivering the keynote address at the opening of the 46th Session of the WCO Enforcement Committee in Brussels, Belgium.
The high-level session, held on Monday, March 23, 2026, marked the first time in the Committee’s 43-year history that its opening was jointly addressed by both the WCO Secretary-General, Ian Saunders, and the Council Chairperson.
The development signals a significant elevation in the strategic importance of the Enforcement Committee and places Nigeria at the heart of a defining moment in global customs cooperation.
Beyond the historic joint address, the session underscored a major transformation in the Committee’s role — shifting from a traditionally enforcement-focused body to a more policy-driven institution tackling emerging global trade challenges. Key focus areas now include advanced detection technologies, intelligence sharing, supply chain security, and trade-based money laundering.
The ongoing review of the Committee’s Terms of Reference — last updated in 2009 — further reflects a deliberate push to align its operations with the realities of an increasingly complex and interconnected global trade system.
In his address, Adeniyi commended customs administrations worldwide for their continued efforts in tackling transnational organised crime, while stressing the urgent need for smarter, intelligence-led enforcement strategies.
“Customs enforcement today is no longer about isolated seizures; it is about protecting the integrity of global trade,” he said.
He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to contributing meaningfully to global customs discourse, noting that the NCS would present practical, field-based insights on fragile border management drawn from its experience operating within one of Africa’s most challenging border environments.
Adeniyi further called for stronger collaboration among customs administrations, emphasising that collective action remains key to global trade security.
“When Customs administrations work together, enforcement becomes stronger, trade becomes safer, and the global economy becomes more resilient,” he stated.
On the sidelines of the session, delegates were treated to a live demonstration of drone technology by the Netherlands Customs team, showcasing the growing relevance of unmanned systems in modern border surveillance and enforcement.
