BREAKING: Tinubu grants Customs CG Adeniyi six-month tenure extension

President Bola Tinubu has approved a final six-month tenure extension for the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi.

The extension, which will run until February 2027, comes as Adeniyi’s current tenure was scheduled to expire on August 1, 2026.

Announcing the decision in a statement on Friday, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the extension was granted to enable Adeniyi to complete key reforms and ensure a seamless transition in the service.

“The six-month extension, which will expire in February 2027, is to enable him to consolidate the implementation of the National Single Window and ensure an orderly succession in the service,” Onanuga said.

According to the statement, Adeniyi will work with the NCS Board during the transition period to strengthen the service’s leadership structure.

“During the transition period, Adeniyi, working with the Nigeria Customs Service Board, will ensure the promotion of eligible officers to the rank of Comptroller of Customs and the compulsory retirement of officers who have attained 60 years of age or have served 35 years,” the statement added.

Adeniyi joined the Customs Service after graduating from Obafemi Awolowo University in the late 1980s and rose steadily through the ranks. He became Deputy Comptroller in 2012, Comptroller in 2017, Assistant Comptroller-General in 2020, and Acting Deputy Comptroller-General in January 2023.

President Tinubu appointed him Comptroller-General of Customs in June 2023.

The Presidency said the tenure extension would allow the Customs chief to conclude ongoing reforms while preparing the ground for a smooth succession process within the service.