The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has congratulated the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, fnipr on his election as the Chairperson of World Customs Organisation (WCO), an intergovernmental organisation which serves as highest decision-making body in global customs with its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
Adeniyi, the Immediate Past Vice President of NIPR was elected at the concluding session of the 145th/146th WCO council meeting held on Saturday June 28, 2025 in Brussels, becoming the first Nigerian to hold the exalted position.
The President and Chairman of Council of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku, in a congratulatory letter on Saturday lauded Adeniyi’s elevation to the top leadership of WCO, describing it as an evidence of visible value that public relations offers in advancing the frontiers of excellence in leadership and governance across sectors.
He expressed delight that members of NIPR at leadership positions are placing the country on the map of honour at the global stage through deployment of Public Relations strategies in solving organisational issues and challenges.
“As a professional body, the NIPR is deeply delighted with your election as the Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation, making history as the first Nigerian to occupy such influential position since its creation with 185 member states. This highlights the role of strategic communication in raising the bar of excellence in leadership and a clear indication that Public Relations has become a leadership function”, he stated.
Dr. Neliaku expressed optimism that Adeniyi’s tenure will introduce innovations that will bring about transformative reforms in the global customs administration, especially in effectively communicating activities of WCO to the global community.
The Comptroller-General of Customs was recently appointed as Vice Chairman, Advisory Board of the Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG), an initiative of the NIPR.