Adeniyi’s Revolution at Nigeria Customs

Eromosele Abiodun posits that the Ag. Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi’sstrong command of customs regulations, laws, and procedures as well as the ability to navigate and adapt to changing policies, has played a major role in his transformation of the service

On July 18 this year, President Bola Tinubu approved the appointment of DCG Bashir Adewale Adeniyi as the Ag. Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). Adeniyi’s appointment was seen as a major move by the president to resuscitate the service after several years of inept leadership. Several stakeholders including serving and retired officers of the NCS have applauded the appointment stressing that the president’s famed eye for talent has once again be proven beyond reasonable doubt. While it is rare for service or retired customs officers to comment appointments, Adeniyi’s case has been different, a reflection of his pedigree and years of unblemished service to his country. First to applaud the appointment was a retired Deputy Comptroller General of the NCS, Senator Francis Fadahunsi, who described the nomination as a right step in the right direction.

For readers who don’t know, Adeniyi possesses over 30 years experience in Customs administration covering strategic and operational responsibilities. He posses 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. Over the course of his career, Adeniyi built strong relationships with stakeholders and collaborated effectively to ensure efficient and effective movement of goods across borders. Senior customs officer told this reporter that 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 replaced a retired Army colonel, Hameed Ibrahim Ali, who was responsible for the overall management and direction of the service in the last eight years.

Adeniyi has so far lived up to expectation. During his maiden press conference in Abuja, he read the riot act to economic saboteurs, insisting that the service cannot afford to allow them to take over the economy.

Addressing journalists shortly after the opening of the two-day sensitisation and management retreat on the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023, he said the service was paying close attention to cases of smuggling across the borders, adding that the issue of fuel remained highly sensitive.

Adeniyi further revealed that as part of the critical first steps of his administration, the service will review procedures and processes in the ports and border areas as well as boost its enforcement strategies going forward.

“We are going to review all of that and we want to do them in such a way that they promote user-friendliness, economic growth without compromising our national security,” he said.

He said the service intended to tighten the noose around economic saboteurs by strengthening the punitive instrument to serve as a deterrent.

He said, “We discovered that the previous legislation did not provide sanctions that are punitive enough for violations of customs laws. Some of the fines were ridiculous – remember that this piece of legislation was put in place in 1958. You won’t believe that in some parts of the legislation – some fines were written in pennies. And when you translate them, they mean nothing. 

“So, criminals are always willing to commit fraud because they know they are going to get a slap on the wrist. What this law has brought are very heavy punitive sanctions that should deter people from committing those violations against the customs law.”

Speaking further on the new legal regime, he said the service has been statutorily empowered to among other things administer and enforce the provisions of the Act; collect and account for revenue from customs and excise; promote trade facilitation; prevent smuggling activities and carryout border enforcement; and do such other things as are necessary for or incidental to the performance of the function and duties of the Service under the Act.

He noted that as a responsible institution, the service is not unmindful of the fact that the members of the public are not yet familiar with the provisions of the new legislation, particularly the new procedure, processes, and the stiff punitive provisions in the law. 

He said, “We are equally appreciative of the urgent need to sensitize the public on the provisions of this law to prevent the excuse of ignorance of the law, which is not a defense. The service will continue to sensitise and educate the public on the provisions of the law and customs procedure and processes.

“Our effort is providing policies statutorily implanted, which invigorates the objectives of keeping our boarders safe and making avenues of leaked revenue accountability lean, hence this institution shall in the shortest period reap the dividends of this legal framework that gear up the ease of doing business in Nigeria, “he said.

Strike Force Disbanded

As part of his effort to sanitise the service, the acting Comptroller-General of Customs, disbanded the CGC’s Strike Force Teams.

The customs boss also directed the Federal Operations Units to take over all their responsibilities across the federation henceforth.

A statement issued by the Customs Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, said the move was aimed at promoting best practices and enhancing trade facilitation.

Maiwada, said the development was in tandem with Adeniyi’s vision of ensuring result-oriented anti-smuggling strategies while facilitating legitimate trade.

He said the acting Customs CG has, therefore, given the marching order to Federal Operations Units and other anti-smuggling formations to use all the instruments of law available to discharge their duties.

Adeniyi, further directed strict adherence to the enshrined Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and rules of engagement while dealing decisively with economic saboteurs.

Also, to ensure transparency and accountability, all anti-smuggling formations were mandated to boldly ascribe their names on all operational vehicles to checkmate the possibility of excesses, misconduct, and human rights abuse.

Adeniyi, had in his maiden address, stated unequivocally that all cumbrances and other obstacles to trade facilitation would be dismantled while fostering a new culture of consultation and compliance.

He read the riot act to economic saboteurs, insisting that the service cannot afford to allow them to take over the economy.

He said the service was paying close attention to cases of smuggling across the borders, adding that the issue of fuel remained highly sensitive.

ACGs Appointment

In yet another move to enhance the service, Adeniyi has made key appointments and redeployment within the service to ensure operational efficiency. 

This followed the statutory retirement of some management members of the service.

Comptrollers Florence Nanu,  Ogar Modey and Queen Ogbudu were therefore, appointed acting Assistant Comptroller Generals Training,  Doctrine Command (TRADOC) and Zonal Coordinator Zone B, respectively. 

Adeniyi also Okayed the redeployment of Comptroller Jaiyeoba Jide from Oyo/Osun Area Command to Apapa Area Command; Comptroller Dera Nnadi from Seme to TinCan Island Port, Comptroller Timi Bomodi from KLT to Seme, and Comptroller Ahmed Abe from PCA Zone ‘C’ to Kaduna Area Command.

Others include Comptroller Babandede Mohammad who was moved from Lilypond Export to Lagos Free Trade Zone Command; Comptroller Dauda Ibrahim Chana from Investigation Headquarters to Kano/Jigawa Area Command, as well as Comptroller Martina Tilleygyado from Non Intrusive Inspection to KLT Area Command.

Others are Comptroller Oloyode Adekunle from TinCan Island Port to Import and Export Headquarters while Comptroller Zanna Chiroma will be leaving Import and Export for PCA Zone ‘C, among many others 

Adeniyi congratulated the affected officers and charged them to put more effort into achieving the service’s core mandates of revenue generation, suppression of smuggling, and trade facilitation. 

Separately, reiterated his commitment protecting the lives and properties of Nigerians – through enhanced capacity building for officers of the service.

During a courtesy visit by the Commandant of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS), Ayodele Adeleke, who led members of the institute to customs headquarters in Abuja said,  “There’s a need to join hands in intensifying the probity of officers and men of the Service, emphasizing that maintaining security level in Nigeria is a collaborative effort.”

He stressed the importance of organising capacity-building workshops, assuring the entourage that the service would continue to prioritise the institute.

Some members of the customs management team and alumni of the institute expressed their appreciation for the opportunity garnered at NISS.

Adeleke, said the institute is currently researching “Globalization and Regional Economic Integration, Implications for Sustainable Development in Africa,  adding that the visit will be centred around a training programme beneficial to the service’s management, officers, and personnel.

He also said the institute was always ready to collaborate with customs to pursue excellence.

Resolving Issues with Dealer Banks

In another move seen as his effort to ensure that the right thing is done, Adeniyi has approved the deactivation of authorised dealer banks engaged by the service for revenue collection, over their failure to remit customs duties and statutory charges.

The decision followed a thorough audit and due process evaluation in line of customs commitment to upholding transparency, accountability, and efficiency in revenue collection. 

The primary objective was to ensure the accurate and timely remittance of customs duties and other essential funds for national development.

Despite the deactivation of the affected banks, the Comptroller General has implemented measures to minimise disruptions for importers and stakeholders within the trading ecosystem. 

According to him, importers who previously relied on the deactivated banks for duty payments are advised to utilize other dealer banks that comply with NCS regulations. 

He also advised that stakeholders encountering challenges with a particular bank are encouraged to use alternatives that function appropriately.

The deactivated banks will however,  have the opportunity to be reactivated once they meet all regulatory requirements and settle outstanding remittances,  the statement added 

Maiwada also noted that collaborative efforts with financial regulators and stakeholders are underway to ensure the efficiency and integrity of the customs duty collection system.

According to him, the NCS places a priority on trade facilitation, putting stakeholders and Nigerian citizens first, even in the face of non-compliance by some authorized dealer banks.

He said the action underscored the NCS’ commitment to maintaining a fair and transparent customs revenue collection process.

Visit to Borders

As part of his commitment to end smuggling, Adeniyi has visited all border posts across Nigeria seeking the cooperation of communities around the borders. Adeniyi has pledged to review Nigeria Customs Service service’s recruitment policies, to ensure that more people from the border communities are recruited into the service.

Adeniyi made the promise when he visited some traditional rulers in some border communities.

He pledged to improve customs community relations in border areas to facilitate the discharge of its mandates.

According to him, border communities are vital to security agencies in the discharge of their duties as regards national security.

“One fair commitment will like to give to you is that we will do better in recruitment with people in border communities in the NCS because we believe that they are stakeholders, and customs community relationship is stronger when you know that you have your sons and daughters in the NCS.

“We are also not unmindful of the fact that where we have this kind of critical operations, we should also be talking about the kind of corporate social responsibility programmes that we are going to be doing in places like this,” he said.

Some may argue that it is too early to make conclusions, but the steps taken so far has clearly shown that the president has once again made the right choice and the ultimate winner, at the end, will be Nigeria.