Bashir Adeniyi and the future of Nigeria Customs Service

The appointment of Bashir Adewale Adeniyi as the Acting Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) was received by many Nigerians with great joy and exhilaration. It is imperative to state from the outset that his appointment was not fortuituous.

Rather it was a well thought-out decision by President Bola Tinubu in line with his adminitrastion’s commitment to effective leadership and security management in Nigeria. Besides, Adeniyi’s intellectual and professional abilities could have informed the President’s decision.

It is no gainsaying that the country needed an individual of his calibre to steer the ship of NCS at this time in its history following the promulgation of the new Nigeria Customs Act 2023, which has opened up a new vista for the organization to contribute to socio economic development of Nigeria.

The historical trajectory of NCS since independence in 1960 has been inundated with several reforms undertaken to modernise customs administration in Nigeria. Two major periods are evident in customs administration reforms and modernisation in Nigeria during the postcolonial era. This is without prejudice to the earlier reforms that took place before 1975. It is true that several changes were introduced during the colonial period and the immediate post-independence era. However, it was not until 1975 that a major structural reform was introduced. These include;

The 1975-1979 Reforms: The reform was structural merging the technical and preventive units for improved performance.

The 1985-1989 Reforms: The reform brought about the transfer of Nigeria Customs Service from the Federal Ministry of Finance to the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs.
1989-1994 Reforms: The government returned the Nigeria Customs Service to the Federal Ministry of Finance with the creation of the Nigeria Customs Service Board in 1992.

1995-1999 Reforms: The reform saw the appointment of a sole administrator. It brought about the replacement of the Long Room with the Customs Processing Centre. It midwived the introduction of the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA), which was then being implemented on behalf of UNCTAD by ECOWAS. The professional import duty administrators were engaged to complement Customs in the task of revenue collection.

The 1999-2004 Reforms: The reforms and modernization began during this period with the full implementation of ASYCUDA. A career customs officer A.A Mustapha was appointed the Comptroller General of Customs.

2006 – 2021 Reforms: The reform started with the introduction of the Destination Inspection Regime. PAAR (Pre-Arrival Assessment Report) was introduced to replace RAR (Risk Assessment Report), the introduction of Vehicle Identification Number valuation policy for imported automobiles, establishment of export terminals and introduction of dry ports and Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System (NICIS).

However, the greatest obstacle towards accomplishing the goal of these reforms was the obsolete old Act enacted since 1959. The old Act encouraged several impunities such as the appointment of non-career officer as Comptroller Generals of NCS. It was clear that the rules of the former CEMA were no longer sufficient to solve the problems in the excise and customs space.
The new Act offers substantial legislative changes that will address these changes such as changing the administration in order for the service to fulfill its obligations and carry out its mandate under the Act.
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The Act is also projected to increase the efficacy and efficiency of the service by bringing its method in line with global best practices. A few examples will suffice to illustrate the changes introduced by the new Act. In contrast to what was obtainable under the old Act, section 206 of the new customs Act provided stiffer penalties and fines for those who violate the established laws regulations on customs and excise duty. It provided sanction of about N5,000,000 for violator. Previously, some of these sanctions were written in pennies. In addition, the challenge of inadequate funding is now history.

Section 18 of the Act provides for a sum not less than 4 percent of the Free on Board value of imports in accordance with international best practice as part of the funds the service shall keep and maintain for its operation.

The new Act also provides that only career officers shall be appointed Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service.

There is no doubt that the new Act marks a turning point in the history of NCS. The pertinent question to ask at this juncture is what can be done to ensure the faithful implementation of this Act? The transformation of the NCS has become imperative. The NCS needs an experienced and astute Comptroller General to spearhead the full implementation of the new Act to align customs operations with global best practices.

More importantly, the NCS needs to discontinue with certain unwholesome practices that demotivate the staff from working optimally. Previous administrations have not done much in the area of staff welfare including the payment of hazard allowance and transfer allowance.

Another anomaly is the fact that promotion of staff has not been based on merit. This is informed by the absence of clear cut promotion guidelines. Most staff have also been denied the opportunity of attending courses both locally and abroad because the process was not properly designed to benefit the staff. It was therefore not surprising that the management team was not accessible to the past leadership of the NCS.

It is no exaggeration to say that Adeniyi is the man who the cap fits to provide the leadership at this point. Adeniyi is not a leader in the sense defined by Walter Bagehot –“a common man of uncommon abilities whose attributes therefore take a very long time to be fully and universally recognized”. Rather he is an uncommon man of uncommon abilities. It is this quality that stands him out among his contemporaries.

It is therefore not a surprise that his penchant for hardwork has earned him several accolades  and awards including; the conferment of the prestigious National Honour of the Member of the Federal Republic ()MFR) 2022; Fellow Nigerian Institute of Public Relations; Comptroller General Award for seizure of $8,065,612 million cash at Murtala Mohammed Airport 2020; Large College Crest Award for Excellence in Service as Deputy Commandant, NIC  2019 and World Customs Organisation Award as Project Team Leader – Securite Collaboration (SPC ++) a customs Regional Security Project 2018 among others.

I have no doubt in my mind that Adeniyi will prove his mettle in the ongoing restructuring in the NCS to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
Dr. Oramalugo is the Comptroller, Oyo/Osun Custom Area Command.