The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to advancing Customs modernisation, regional integration, and collective economic growth across West and Central Africa.
Adeniyi made the declaration during the 32nd Conference of Directors-General of Customs for the West and Central Africa (WCA) Region, held between Thursday and Friday -7th and 8th of May 2026, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Addressing top Customs administrators, policy leaders, and regional stakeholders at the high-level gathering, the Nigerian Customs boss stressed that Nigeria’s leadership within the WCO framework is rooted in cooperation, inclusiveness, and shared regional progress rather than national dominance.
According to him, the WCA region has continued to distinguish itself globally through its long-standing culture of rotational leadership and collective ownership among member states.
During his remarks, Adeniyi said: “This chairmanship is not mine. It belongs to the region that sent me.
“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”.
The Comptroller-General praised Sierra Leone for hosting the conference and highlighted the region’s unique tradition of allowing every member nation, regardless of size or economic strength, to contribute to regional leadership and decision-making.
“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.
He added that the spirit of inclusiveness has remained one of the strongest pillars sustaining unity and cohesion within the WCO West and Central Africa Region.
Adeniyi also acknowledged the contributions of the WCO Secretary-General in driving an inclusive global Customs modernisation agenda that ensures active participation from all regional blocs, in shaping international Customs reforms and trade facilitation policies.
He further commended members of the WCO Policy Commission representing the WCA Region for consistently advancing the region’s interests within key global Customs policy platforms.
The conference was officially declared open by the President of Sierra Leone and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Julius Maada Bio, who called for deeper regional cooperation in strengthening trade facilitation, improving border security, and accelerating economic integration across Africa.
President Bio emphasised the need for Customs administrations within the region to adapt to evolving security threats, emerging trade realities, and rapid technological advancements in global commerce.
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Finance, while setting the tone for policy discussions, described Customs administrations as critical guardians of national economies and unveiled the country’s ambitious Customs modernisation programme.
The reforms include the upgrade of the ASYCUDA World platform, implementation of a Single Window Customs and Ports Community System, as well as the introduction of Product Tracing and Fiscal Integrity mechanisms designed to improve monitoring of excisable goods and strengthen revenue assurance.
Throughout the two-day conference, delegates reviewed reports presented by the WCO Secretariat and the Regional Working Group on the Private Sector, with discussions centred on harmonising Customs procedures, enhancing real-time intelligence sharing, and improving operational efficiency across member states.
Participants also examined budgetary, audit, and administrative matters while stressing the urgent need for coordinated regional responses to illicit trade, smuggling, and other cross-border crimes threatening economic stability within the region.
Digital Customs transformation emerged as one of the dominant themes of the summit, with delegates highlighting the importance of implementing Single Window systems, expanding the ECOWAS SIGMAT framework for transit verification, and preparing Customs administrations for the operational demands of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The conference recognised that while regional trade liberalisation remains essential for economic growth, it must be backed by robust Customs systems capable of facilitating legitimate trade while preventing the abuse of trade corridors by criminal networks.
Observers noted that the discussions closely aligned with the Nigeria Customs Service’s ongoing reforms in automation, cargo intelligence, risk management, and regional enforcement cooperation championed under Adeniyi’s leadership.
Held under the theme, “A Customs Service that Protects Society Through its Vigilance and Commitment,” the conference focused heavily on digital transformation, intelligence-led enforcement, and proactive border management strategies aimed at combating illicit trade and transnational criminal activities.
It 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.
