President Bola Tinubu has approved a final six month tenure extension for the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, allowing him to remain in office until February 2027.
The extension comes ahead of the expiration of Adeniyi’s current tenure, which was due to end on August 1, 2026, following an earlier extension granted by the President.
According to a State House statement issued on Friday by Bayo Onanuga, the latest approval is intended to enable the Customs chief to consolidate ongoing reforms within the service.
A key objective of the extension is the completion of the implementation of the National Single Window initiative, a flagship trade facilitation programme designed to improve efficiency in cargo clearance and government revenue collection.
The Presidency also said the additional six months would provide adequate time to ensure a smooth and orderly leadership transition within the Customs Service.
During the period, Adeniyi is expected to work closely with the Customs Board to conclude the promotion of qualified officers to the rank of Comptroller of Customs.
The exercise will also include the retirement of officers who have reached the statutory age of 60 years or completed 35 years in service, in line with public service regulations.
Adeniyi was appointed Comptroller General by President Tinubu in June 2023 after a distinguished career spanning several decades in the Customs Service.
A graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, he joined the service in the late 1980s and steadily advanced through the ranks, serving as Deputy Comptroller in 2012, Comptroller in 2017 and Assistant Comptroller General in 2020.
His elevation to Acting Deputy Comptroller General in January 2023 paved the way for his appointment as Customs Comptroller General, a position under which the service has pursued reforms aimed at strengthening trade facilitation, revenue generation and institutional modernisation.