Acting Comptroller General of Customs, Wale Adeniyi
By Jimmy Enyeh
The new acting Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR dsm fnipr psc(+) is not your run-of-the-mill- Customs officer, there is this attribute that stands him out among his peers and that is honesty and transparency.
Mr Adeniyi became popular amongst newsmen, on account of his former position as the Customs Public Relations Officer, he had a cordial relationship with newsmen on account of his open door policy.
NATIONAL WAVES gathered that the new Acting Comptroller General comes top among his contemporaries, this is because, he strictly adheres to details and handles his duties with dedication and utmost calmness.
Mr. Adeniyi’s story contradicts the principles and norms of ego-tripping. He parades himself as a mushroom on which the dew of heaven drops from time to time. He never draws attention to how influential he is on account of his enviable position neither does he function on the oxygen of his blooming renown, and that is a wonderful trait in a shrewd public servant
The unassuming Customs officer endeared himself to his superiors on his way to the top echelon of the Customs by having his eye on details. Not only that, he is ever bubbling with enthusiasm.
One good attribute that remains sacrosanct for this brilliant officer is that, he cherishes hard work and this has culminated in his success story.. He is also humble to a fault. He understands that humility is not a peculiar habit of self-effacement but rather, an insipid trait like having an inaudible voice, a selfless respect for reality and one of the most difficult and central of all the virtues. Hence, his desire to remain humble, even, when with his contemporaries and lesser men.
Not a few people are awestruck by Mr.Adeniyi’s marvelous traits accompany him to his work. Thus Adeniyi, like the proverbial bee, silently does his work in the hive, knowing that without humility, all will be lost. But nothing is lost in the hive of this unassuming Customs officer
It is also an incontrovertible fact to say that the articulate Customs officer is a man who does not dance to the rhythm of mass hysteria. He is literally a phantom of delight; like a moment’s apparition poised to become uno numero Customs officer of our time which has come be with his appointment as the Acting Comptroller General of Customs.
There is no gainnsaying that Mr. Adeniyi has carved a niche for himself in careeer and can be trusted with the job of CG, while he was Comptroller at the Airport Command, he was instrumental to the seizure of $8,065,612 million cash at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, in January 2020. This unprecedented achievement earned him the Comptroller General Award in 2020.
Mr Adeniyi has over 30 years experience in Customs Administration covering Strategic and operational responsibilities. He possesses a deep understanding of the complex and constantly evolving international trade landscape. He has strong command of customs regulations, laws, and procedures as well as the ability to navigate and adapt to changing policies and regulations. He has demonstrated excellent communication and leadership skills responsible for leading teams of customs officials, working closely with stakeholders across a variety of industries.
He built strong relationships with stakeholders and collaborated effectively to ensure efficient and effective movement of goods across borders, over the course of his career. He has a keen eye for details and ability to identify potential risks and areas of non-compliance. This is evident in effective risk management strategies, guidance and support developed and implemented for his teams to ensure that all customs procedures are followed accurately and efficiently. He is dedicated to promoting trade and economic growth while ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. Adeniyi is known to maintain the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. He is also committed to continuously improving his knowledge and skills to stay ahead of the ever-changing customs landscape.
He was conferred with National Honour of Member of the Order of Federal Republic (MFR) by former President Mohammadu Buhari GCFR on October, 2022.
He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, August 2022.
He won the Large College Crest Award for Excellence in Service as Deputy Commandant, NCCSC Gwagwalada December 2019., World Customs Organization Award of Excellence as Project Team Leader, Securité Par Collaboration (SPC++), a Customs Regional Security Project, January 2018, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations Presidential Award, April 2018, Joint winner of Burson –Marsteller Award for the Best Research Project on “Reputation Management in Nigeria Customs Service” in partial fulfillment of the award of Masters of Science in Communications, USI, Lugano Switzerland, November 2013,
Best Customs Public Relations Officer 2004 – 2007.
He was Acting Deputy Comptroller-General |Nigeria Customs Service January 2023 until appointed acting Comptroller General by President Bola Tinubu.
He was Head of the Strategic Research and Policy Department,
Coordinating engagements with International Organizations including; World Customs Organization (WCO), World Trade Organization (WTO), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), World Bank (WB), International Monetary Fund (IMF), he coordinated the Customs bilateral and multilateral trade relations and many more
He was Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs |Nigeria Customs Service February 2020 – January 2023, Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College Gwagwalada, Abuja.
He was Comptroller of Customs April 2017 – February 2020 ,
Customs Area Controller of Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command, Deputy Commandant—Nigeria Customs Service Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada (pioneered the commencement of the Command and Staff Courses in 2017),
Deputy Comptroller of Customs 2012 – April 2017, Customs National Public Relations Officer (Headquarters Abuja), Adviser and Chief Strategist to Comptrollers-General of Customs (Served under 8 Comptrollers-General).
He attended the Universitaire Svizzera D’ Italiana (USI) – Lugano—Switzerland Master of Arts in Communication Science November 2013, Obafemi Awolowo University – Ile-Ife Bachelor of Science in International Relations June 1987, Modakeke High School – Modakeke SSCE – June 1979.
He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (FNIPR), Vice-President of the Governing Council, International Public Relations Association (IPRA).
