Record of service: Customs CG, Adeniyi, alleges smear campaign

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr. Adewale Bashir Adeniyi has raised an alarm over alleged moves by some people he described as “faceless individuals” to distract him from his duties by attempting to spread misleading information about his record of service. Adeniyi made the allegation while reacting to an enquiry by the […]

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr. Adewale Bashir Adeniyi has raised an alarm over alleged moves by some people he described as “faceless individuals” to distract him from his duties by attempting to spread misleading information about his record of service.

Adeniyi made the allegation while reacting to an enquiry by the Daily Trust on his record of public service since leaving school, based on some documents made available to this newspaper, including his academic qualifications, and records of his days at the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) before joining the NCS.

Asked whether there were some irregularities in his records as alleged by some individuals, he said that he had nothing to hide, saying that he was aware that certain individuals (not named) were out to distract him from carrying out his lawful duties.

He said that he rose to the pinnacle of his career through hard work, dedication and sacrifice, with unblemished record of service, adding that “when you set out to fight corruption in a clime like ours, corruption will always fight back”.

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The Customs CG said together with his team, he is dedicating his energy and expertise to helping to actualise President Bola Tinubu’s agenda of building a stronger and more virile economy for the country. 

“I want to assure you that I will not be distracted at all,” he said.

One of the documents made available to Daily Trust indicated that in documenting for the Customs job, Adeniyi did not carry forward his years of service in the NRC.

Those who made available the documents alleged that he ought to have eased himself from the public service, as he had attained the retirement ceiling both by age and his years in service.

According to the documents, the Customs CG was born on January 19, 1964, and he reached 60 years of age on January 19, 2024, by which time he should have retired based on public service rules.

Another document showed that after graduating from the Modakeke High School, in 1979, when he wrote the West African School Certificate, he was employed into the service of the Nigerian Railway Corporation in 1981.

It indicated that he was with the NRC as a casual worker up till 1990, when he was employed into the service of the NCS as an officer. 

Daily Trust confirmed from some sources that it was midway into his engagement with the NRC as a casual worker that Adeniyi applied and secured permission to pursue further studies to foster his chances of upward mobility in public service.

He was admitted into the Obafemi Awolowo University, where he read International Relations from 1984 to 1988, after which he returned to continue work until his employment in the Nigeria Customs Service in 1990.

Thereafter, he bagged a Master of Arts Degree in Communication Science at the Universitaire Svizzera D’Italiana (USI) – Lugano-Switzerland, in November 2013.

A summary of his career profile showed that he was a deputy comptroller-general with cognate experience in Customs administration covering strategic and operational responsibilities.

“He possesses a deep understanding of the complex and constantly evolving international trade landscape. He has a strong command of customs regulations, laws, and procedures as well as the ability to navigate and adapt to changing policies and regulations. 

“He has demonstrated excellent communication and leadership skills responsible for leading teams of customs officials, working closely with stakeholders across a variety of industries,” it said.

His record of service showed that he won former President Muhammadu Buhari’s admiration for bursting an attempt to smuggle $8.07 million out of the country sometime in February, 2020, through the E-Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport’s tarmac, while he was Comptroller at the airport.

President Tinubu, on Monday, 19 June 2023, appointed Adeniyi as the new Acting Comptroller General of the NCS.

He was appointed alongside other service chiefs. He succeeded Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd).

In a statement issued by the then Director of Information, Mr Willie Bassey, on behalf of the Office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation, the appointed service chiefs including that of the CGC, were in acting capacity pending their confirmation in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It said Adeniyi joined the Customs Service over three decades ago, and had served in different capacities, including being the longest-serving National Public Relations Officer from June 2003 to May 2011; he also served as Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, Abuja,” the statement had said. 

Subsequently, on October 20, 2023, President Tinubu confirmed Adeniyi as the substantive Comptroller General of Customs.