History has been made as one of Obafemi Awolowo University’s distinguished alumni, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has been appointed as the Chairperson of the World Customs Organization Council.

The announcement was made on 28 June 2025, during the 145th/146th Sessions of the WCO Council held in Brussels, Belgium, where member countries unanimously endorsed Adeniyi for this prestigious global leadership role. His appointment marks a significant milestone for Nigeria and the African continent, being the first Nigerian and one of the few Africans to lead the Council in the WCO’s 73-year history.

The WCO, headquartered in Brussels, is the preeminent global body overseeing customs matters. With over 185 member countries, it is responsible for 98% of world trade. As Chairperson, CG Adeniyi will provide strategic guidance to the Council and lead global deliberations on trade facilitation, border security, and customs cooperation.

A consummate professional and a widely respected customs administrator, Adewale Adeniyi, graduated from the Department of International Relations, Obafemi Awolowo University; and has gone on to build a remarkable career in the Nigeria Customs Service. His visionary leadership as Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service since 2023, anchored on Collaboration, Consolidation and Innovation, has positioned the institution as a model of progressive reform, growth and innovation in Africa.

The appointment of CGC Adeniyi is another great feather in the cap of OAU as it depicts the University as a cradle of leadership and innovation, projecting it as a vital contributor to the national, continental, and global academic community. It will be recalled that the outgoing President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, is also a product of the institution. Adeniyi’s appointment to head another important global organisation reinforces the preeminence of OAU as an institution that produces quality leaders at national and global levels.

In recognition of this extraordinary achievement, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, gave a heartfelt and eloquent congratulatory remark on behalf of the University management: “On behalf of the entire Obafemi Awolowo University community, I extend our heartfelt congratulations to our distinguished alumnus, Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on his appointment as the Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation. His appointment to this prestigious position shows his exceptional leadership, dedication, and the high regard in which he is held internationally. Mr. Adeniyi’s journey from our halls to the pinnacle of global customs administration is a source of immense pride for us”.

Continuing, the Vice-Chancellor stated that, “this appointment not only honors Mr. Adeniyi but also elevates the reputation of Obafemi Awolowo University on the national, continental, and world stage. His ascent to the WCO chairmanship comes at a pivotal moment, as his leadership at the NCS continues to set benchmarks in trade policy, revenue generation and border security. His story is a powerful narrative of excellence, rooted in the academic rigor and values instilled at OAU. For current and future students, he stands as an inspiring figure – a reminder that the pursuit of knowledge and dedication to service can lead to global impact.”

Congratulations, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR!

Congratulations, Obafemi Awolowo University!!

Congratulations, Nigeria!!!