The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on Saturday, 22 November 2025, urged communication professionals and public institutions to uphold ethical standards and strengthen national reputation-building as he was honoured by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) at a reception in Abuja.
Speaking at the event held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, the Customs Chief described the Institute’s ongoing Reputation Management Project as a critical national asset and pledged continued collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and the NIPR.
He highlighted the Service’s expanded corporate social responsibility footprint across states, tailored to community needs in education, water, and healthcare, adding that public-sector organisations must increasingly adopt people-centred communication.
CGC Adeniyi thanked the Institute for recognising his elevation as Chairman of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council, describing the honour as one that belongs not only to him but to Nigeria.
He said the recognition places additional responsibility on him and the Service to enhance professionalism, strengthen institutional credibility, and advance the country’s standing on the global stage.
The Chairperson of the event and Minister of State for Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Doris Anite, said Adeniyi’s rise to the leadership of the WCO marks “a powerful affirmation of Nigeria’s influence in global trade governance.”
She noted that the CGC’s international role gives the country a strategic voice in shaping global standards and partnerships, while his leadership at home reflects transparency, discipline, and professionalism.
Dr Anite added that the clarity with which the Customs Service now communicates its reforms aligns strongly with the values of the NIPR, stressing that institutional credibility is inseparable from effective national communication.
She said reforms cannot endure without trust and urged the Institute to remain at the forefront of shaping public understanding in an era where national reputation is constantly challenged.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammad Idris, also commended Adeniyi, describing him as a symbol of hard work, humility, and excellence in public service.
He said the CGC’s career trajectory from frontline public relations officer to global Customs leadership demonstrates the possibilities available to Nigerian professionals who work with dedication and integrity.
According to him, the Customs boss has projected Nigeria positively and remains an example of what the country can achieve through merit and strong institutional leadership.
NIPR President, Ike Neliaku, while congratulating the CGC on both his WCO position and his recent academic milestone, said Adeniyi’s achievements reflect the Institute’s values of diligence, excellence, and resilience.
He noted that his rise offers the world a counter-narrative about Nigeria’s competence at a time when the nation faces global image challenges.
Neliaku also reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to building a national secretariat that would serve as a professional hub for strategic communication and reputation management.
Goodwill messages were delivered collectively by representatives of the governors of Jigawa, Nasarawa, and Zamfara States; the Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar; former Niger State Governor, Adamu Mu’azu; and Senator Osita Izunaso, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Market.
The elders statesmen praised CGC Adeniyi for exemplifying leadership that uplifts Nigeria’s global profile and reaffirmed support for the NIPR’s drive to strengthen national communication infrastructure.
