Adeniyi Pledges Regional Unity at West African Customs Summit
By Patience Ikpeme
Nigeria has pledged its unwavering support for regional modernization and collective economic growth as customs leaders from across West and Central Africa gathered in Sierra Leone to chart a new course for trade facilitation and border security.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service and Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, Adewale Adeniyi, made this commitment during the 32nd Conference of Directors-General of Customs for the West and Central Africa (WCA) Region.
Addressing the summit held in Freetown from May 7 to May 8, 2026, Adeniyi made it clear that Nigeria’s leadership role is built upon a foundation of regional unity.
He pointed to the region’s “rotational inclusiveness” as its primary strength, noting that the tradition ensures every nation has an opportunity to lead, regardless of its size.
“This chairmanship is not mine. It belongs to the region that sent me,” Adeniyi told the gathered delegates. “Anytime I take the chair, I take it on behalf of every administration represented in this hall. That is the truth of it, and that is the spirit in which I serve.”
The Comptroller-General praised the hospitality of Sierra Leone and described the culture of passing the leadership baton between capitals as a distinctive feature that fosters a unique level of cohesion within the regional family.
“Our region has a quiet but powerful tradition. Every member, big or small, takes its turn. The right to host is not negotiated. We pass the baton from one capital to the next, and in the passing, we remind ourselves of who we are,” he said.
The President of Sierra Leone and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, officially opened the event. He spoke on the necessity of deeper regional collaboration to improve economic integration and security across the continent. Under the theme, “A Customs Service that Protects Society Through its Vigilance and Commitment,” the conference pushed for a shift from reactive enforcement toward proactive, intelligence-led operations.
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Finance described customs administrations as the “protective shield of the modern state” while detailing the host nation’s own digital upgrades, including the implementation of a Single Window Customs and Ports Community System.
Throughout the two-day summit, discussions focused heavily on the digital transformation of trade. Delegates reviewed the progress of the ECOWAS SIGMAT framework for transit verification and the operational requirements of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The consensus among participants was that while free trade is vital for prosperity, it must be matched by robust systems capable of preventing the abuse of trade corridors.
The conference also focused on administrative efficiency, reviewing reports on budgetary matters and the establishment of uniform customs procedures to combat illicit trade through real-time data exchange.
As the summit concluded, the Central African Republic was elected as the new Vice Chair for the WCO West and Central Africa Region. The nation succeeds Mali, which recently completed its two-year tenure in the role.
