TENURE EXTENSION: Tinubu extends Customs CG’s tenure

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday extended the tenure of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, by one year amidst a legal suit challenging the CG’s continued stay in office. Adeniyi’s tenure extension was announced in a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, adding that the decision was premised on his impressive performance. This […]

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday extended the tenure of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, by one year amidst a legal suit challenging the CG’s continued stay in office.

Adeniyi’s tenure extension was announced in a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, adding that the decision was premised on his impressive performance.

This is coming on the heels of a legal suit instituted by a human rights activist and social crusader, Dr. Bolaji Akinyemi, challenging Adeniyi’s continued stay when he ought to have exited.

Daily Trust reports that there have been controversies surrounding the appointment of Adeniyi and his continued stay in office, with the recent one being a legal suit recently instituted against him.

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Dr. Akinyemi approached a Federal High Court in Lagos to challenge the legality or otherwise of the tenure extension of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, by President Tinubu. 

The suit (FHC/L/CS/1495/2025) was brought according to the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009, and relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

The suit had President Tinubu, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Finance, Wale Edun; Nigeria Customs Service; Nigeria Customs Service Governing Board; Office of the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs and Excise Services; and the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, as respondents.

Addressing journalists in Enugu, the claimant’s counsel, Newworth LLP (Legal practitioners), said that the originating summons challenged the purported extension or continued stay in office of the Customs Comptroller-General, Adeniyi, beyond May 5, 2025, which marked the end of his statutory tenure.

According to the plaintiff’s counsel, the issues for determination are: “Whether the president has the constitutional or statutory authority under Section 14(1) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (2023 as amended) to extend the tenure of Adeniyi after he proceeds on terminal leave.

“Whether Adeniyi can legally continue to act in the capacity of Comptroller-General beyond his exit date without violating the rights and due process expectations of Nigerians, particularly Dr. Akinyemi, who claims this impinges on his right to life, dignity, and democratic governance.”

They said that they were seeking relief for judicial declarations that any such extension or continued stay in office is illegal and unconstitutional.

“Restraining orders barring both the president and Adeniyi from executing or accepting any of such tenure extensions. Any further orders the court deems just in the interest of constitutional order and rule of law.”

They said that they were seeking relief for judicial declarations that any such extension or continued stay in office is illegal and unconstitutional.

“Restraining orders barring both the president and Adeniyi from executing or accepting any of such tenure extensions. Any further orders the court deems just in the interest of constitutional order and rule of law.”

They added that the suit underscores a growing concern over the abuse of executive powers in the appointment and tenure elongation of key public office holders, often at the expense of the constitution, institutional integrity, and the public interest.

 

Stakeholders express mixed reactions

The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE)  commended President Tinubu’s decision to extend the tenure of the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service , recognising his reforms in trade efficiency, transparency, and technological advancement in customs administration. 

The Director of CPPE, Dr. Muda Yusuf, said the extension is a well-deserved mark of appreciation for the CGC’s numerous achievements, particularly in technological innovation, such as the Customs modernisation project, revenue performance, tackling smuggling and international trade leadership.

“The tenure extension is a welcome development. It is a recognition of Adeniyi’s transformational leadership, especially in driving the Customs Modernisation Project, a fully technology-based initiative that has significantly enhanced the efficiency of customs operations,” Yusuf said. 

However, the President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, Mr Lucky Amiwero, stated that the extension is a clear violation of the principle of tenure elongation, adding that it sets a bad precedent and undermines the rule of law.

“I am concerned about the implications of this extension on the career progression of other Customs officers. It’s unfair to deny them opportunities for advancement.

“What are the grounds for this extension? Was it based on performance or political considerations? Is it because the tenure of others like the Inspector General of Police has been extended?” he said.

 

Rising trend 

Daily Trust reports that this is not the first time that President Tinubu is extending the tenure of a head of a paramilitary organisation.

The president had in September last year approved that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, remain in office until 2027.

A letter by the president confirmed that the IGP was appointed for a four-year tenure after amending the Police Act.

In the same vein, President Tinubu had approved the extension of the tenure of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, until December 31, 2026.

Nandap, who joined the NIS on October 9, 1989, was appointed as Comptroller-General on March 1, 2024, with an initial tenure set to end on August 31, 2025.

A statement by the president’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Onanuga, said Tinubu commended Nandap for her leadership, noting improvements in border management, immigration modernisation, and national security under her watch.

 

‘Extension breach of public integrity, ‘ll demoralise personnel’

While reacting to the development, the Executive Director Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI), Umar Yakubu, told Daily Trust that the appointments violate public integrity principles and laid down rules.

“If the president wants to extend anyone’s tenure, it should be clearly explained whether it is performance based or the person is handling some projects, but just extending someone’s tenure like that is a breach of public trust and also the trust of Nigerians in the system. 

“There is a reason why the law says you should retire at 60 years of age and 35 years of service and the government should not set a bad precedent with Immigration, Police and now Customs,” he said.

He added that the decision may demoralise officers in these paramilitary outfits who also have valid ambitions to occupy that exalted office.

 

One year tenure extension for Adeniyi 

Meanwhile, Daily Trust reports that President Tinubu had approved a one-year extension of the tenure for Adeniyi, whose tenure was initially set to expire on August 31, 2025,  and is now set to remain in office until August 2026.

According to a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, the extension is aimed at allowing Adeniyi to consolidate ongoing reforms and complete key initiatives of the Tinubu administration.

These include the modernisation of the Customs Service, implementation of the National Single Window Project, and Nigeria’s obligations under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) protocol.

“President Tinubu recognises Mr. Adeniyi’s steadfast leadership and commitment to service.

“The president is confident that this extension will further strengthen the Nigeria Customs Service in achieving its strategic mandate of trade facilitation, revenue generation, and border security,” the statement read.

Adeniyi, who took over from former CG Hameed Ali in June 2023, had initially been appointed in an acting capacity before his confirmation in October of the same year.