The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has received the Transformative Reforms and Leadership Excellence Award from the Finance and Business Online Publishers (FiBOP) in recognition of his contributions to customs administration, trade facilitation and institutional reforms.
The award was presented at FiBOP’s 2026 Annual Conference held in Lagos last weekend.
According to the award citation, the recognition acknowledges Adeniyi’s efforts to modernise the Nigeria Customs Service through technological innovation, improved transparency, enhanced revenue generation and reforms aimed at facilitating international trade.
Since assuming office, Adeniyi has pursued initiatives designed to reposition the Service from its traditional revenue collection role towards a more technology-driven institution focused on trade facilitation and border security.
Among the initiatives highlighted are the implementation of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) scheme and the Time Release Study (TRS), which are designed to improve cargo clearance processes, reduce delays at ports and lower the cost of doing business.
The reforms also seek to strengthen government revenue generation while improving the efficiency of Nigeria’s trading environment.
On border security, the Customs chief has overseen the deployment of non-intrusive inspection technologies, improved intelligence sharing among security agencies and intensified anti-smuggling operations.
These measures are aimed at curbing illicit trade, protecting local industries and strengthening security across Nigeria’s borders and trade corridors.
The award citation also highlighted the Service’s digital transformation agenda, including the phased implementation of the Unified Customs Management System, which is designed to automate customs operations, minimise human intervention and promote transparency and accountability.
Receiving the award on behalf of the Comptroller-General, Deputy Superintendent of Customs at the Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, AbdulGaniy Oloro Usman, commended FiBOP for recognising Adeniyi’s contributions to the development of the Service.
Usman said the Nigeria Customs Service remained committed to strengthening collaboration with the media and other stakeholders in the maritime, manufacturing and international trade sectors.
He added that sustained cooperation among these stakeholders would help accelerate Nigeria’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy.
The recognition comes amid ongoing efforts to modernise customs operations, improve trade efficiency and strengthen the contribution of international trade to national economic development.
FiBOP’s award recognises Adeniyi’s reform agenda and highlights the importance of leadership, technology and stakeholder collaboration in strengthening Nigeria’s trade and border management systems.
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