By Harriet Tornguvan
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a six-month extension of the tenure of the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, to allow him complete ongoing reforms and ensure a smooth transition within the service.
The extension, described as a final tenure approval, will run until February 2027. Adeniyi’s initial tenure extension was expected to end on August 1, 2026.
A statement on the development said the extension was granted to enable the Customs boss consolidate key initiatives, particularly the implementation of the National Single Window project, aimed at improving trade facilitation and enhancing efficiency in Nigeria’s import and export processes.
During the transition period, Adeniyi is expected to work closely with the Nigeria Customs Service Board to ensure a seamless succession process. This will include the promotion of qualified officers to the rank of Comptroller of Customs, as well as the retirement of officers who have attained the mandatory retirement age of 60 years or completed 35 years in service.
Adeniyi, who assumed office as Comptroller General of Customs in June 2023 following his appointment by President Tinubu, has had a long career in the service spanning several decades.
He joined the Nigeria Customs Service after graduating from Obafemi Awolowo University in the late 1980s and steadily rose through the ranks. He became Deputy Comptroller in 2012, Comptroller in 2017, Assistant Comptroller General in 2020, and later served as Acting Deputy Comptroller-General in January 2023 before his appointment as the Customs helmsman.
The extension is expected to provide continuity in the administration of the service as it advances ongoing reforms and prepares for leadership transition.
