CGC Adeniyi : Economic growth on his mind

CGC Adeniyi : Economic growth on his mind !
... Attends WCO conference in Shenzhen China, highlights Tinubu’s policies in rejuvenating Nigeria’s economy
…Signs MoU with China to foster bilateral relations

“One of the best decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu is the appointment of CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, as the Comptroller General of Customs”. This statement echoes at every forum where maritime stakeholders are seen.

Yes, their assertion is absolutely correct ! CGC Adeniyi has proven to be a faithful Comrade, trusted administrator, patriotic citizen, highly dependable in supporting government policies to rejuvenate the economy, a
hard working and versatile officer who believes in the Nigerian project. At present, CGC Adeniyi is working assiduously to give Nigeria global recognition in maritime trade.

His proactiveness in trade facilitation, revenue generation for government, anti-smuggling drive and national security are clear manifestations of his statesmanship. Certainly, the prosperity of the Nigerian nation is on his mind ! It shows in his words and actions.

These were exactly what played out in Shenzhen China, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, when CGC Adeniyi spoke
during a high-level panelists session, at the 6th World Customs Organidation on Global Authorized Economic Operators Conference.

During the panel discussion with Sun Yuning, Vice Minister General Administration of China Customs (GACC), Helena Marla, Director-General Tax and Customs Authority of Portugal, Edward Kieswetter, WCO Council Chairperson and Selina Clerk, Deputy Commissioner Operations, Jamaica Customs Agency, CGC Adeniyi highlighted policies and efforts by Nigerian government in promoting maritime trade.

The CGC, who admitted that Customs level of implementing Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) is at the starting point, expressed his readiness to engage Customs officers in building their capacity on the program; saying, “so they will embrace the knowledge on how to implement it, and we will eventually get there.”

The CGC informed, “We started implementing a pilot AEO program a month ago. We have been inspired by the policy and vision of the new Nigerian government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to enhance economic competitiveness and diversification.”

He said, “The indices used in compiling the ease of doing business is trading across borders, and AEO allows us to engage with our stakeholders, in order to reduce the time and cost of doing business.”

CGC Adeniyi further clarified to the Moderator of the Panel Session, Mr Ian Sanders, the Secretary General of World Customs Organization, that; “although the Service gets the support of WCO, the organisers of the conference must consider the challenges that the Service experiences in area of optimising stakeholders’ engagement, amongst others.”

Adeniyi expressed optimism that the recently launched Pilot Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program in Nigeria is designed to contribute to the broader objectives of WCO in promoting border security and fostering sustainable economic development globally.

The Vice Minister of General Administration of Customs, People’s Republic of China, Wanga Lingjun, who earlier delivered his opening speech, welcomed the participants to Shenzhen for the 6th WCO Global AEO Conference, held from Wednesday, 8 to 10 May 2024.

Delivering his speech, Ian Sanders, the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization, applauded the participating members of AEO, described this year’s conference; “as a platform for sharing a common commitment to transparent, secured and resilient trade ecosystem.”

Ian Sanders, who highlighted the contributions of small-scale businesses in transforming the global economy, said; “As we explore the transformative potential of AEO program, it is crucial to acknowledge the backbone of our local economy: the micro, small and medium-size entrepreneurs, MSMEs”.

Emphasising the employment opportunities that MSMEs provide to global citizens and enhancing international trade, Mr Ian Sanders assured that AEO program will engage the operators of MSMEs to benefit from the initiative.

In the same vein;  the Nigeria Customs Service signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the General Administration of Customs, People’s Republic of China (GACC), to foster bilateral relationships for enhancement of economic growth.

Recall that CGC Adeniyi earlier highlighted the significance of knotting bilateral affiliation with China, which, according to him, will boost the two countries’ import-export operations and favour the businesses of MSMEs in Nigeria.

CGC Adeniyi appreciated Wang Lingjun, for showing interest in signing MoU with NCS. He also applauded the recent exponential rise in the development of e-commerce, adding, “We know a lot of Nigerian companies and SMEs take advantage of the opportunities aided through e-commerce.”

CGC Adeniyi expressed optimism that NCS-GACC Memorandum of Understanding will serve as a critical component of cooperative security and trade relationship between the two nation’s Customs agencies, reiterating that; “The relationship will create a cooperative mechanism for NCS and GACC to collaborate on supply chain security standards and enhance economic stability of both nations.”

His words : “These are some of the reasons why Nigeria Customs Service pays attention to what is happening in China. As you have said, China is making the biggest trade in Nigeria, and the basic context of International Trade is ‘your export is our import’. I appreciate the numbers that you gained in Nigeria. But it is also common knowledge that those numbers sometimes must take account of the large volume of informal trade that exists between us.”

Mr Wang Lingjun of the General Administration of Customs, who represented Vice Minister Sun Yuning, and signed the MoU on behalf of the People’s Republic of China, expressed satisfaction over CGC Adeniyi’s vision that the affiliation between the two agencies will serve as a mechanism for creating opportunities that Nigeria and China share on a wider range of economic issues and trade facilitation.

As the Customs Boss, CGC Adeniyi stepped on the saddle of leadership with a vision focused on consolidation, innovation and collaboration.

Less than one year in office, he has demonstrated pragmatically his dynamic potentiality in handling Customs operations effectively, with positive externalities on the economy at large.