Tinubu Approves New Tenure Extension for Customs Comptroller-General

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a six-month extension of the tenure of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the statement, Adeniyi’s current tenure extension, which was granted in July 2025, was expected to expire on August 1, 2026. The newly approved six-month extension will now keep him in office until February 2027.

The Presidency explained that the extension is intended to enable the Customs boss consolidate ongoing reforms, particularly the implementation of the National Single Window project, while ensuring a smooth and orderly succession process within the service.

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During the transition period, Adeniyi is expected to work closely with the Nigeria Customs Service Board to oversee the promotion of eligible officers to the rank of Comptroller of Customs and facilitate the compulsory retirement of officers who have attained 60 years of age or completed 35 years of pensionable service.

Adeniyi joined the Nigeria Customs Service shortly after graduating from Obafemi Awolowo University in the late 1980s and steadily rose through the ranks of the service.

He became Deputy Comptroller in 2012, Comptroller in 2017, Assistant Comptroller-General in 2020, and Acting Deputy Comptroller-General in January 2023 before his appointment by President Tinubu as Comptroller-General in June 2023.

On October 19, 2023, President Tinubu confirmed him as the substantive Comptroller-General after he had served in an acting capacity following the exit of his predecessor, Hameed Ali.

His original tenure was expected to end in August 2025 after completing 35 years of service. However, the President granted him a one-year extension, which was due to expire in August 2026 before the latest six-month extension.

Under the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the President is empowered to appoint a career officer not below the rank of Assistant Comptroller-General as Comptroller-General of Customs. However, the Act does not prescribe a fixed tenure for the office.

The tenure of the Comptroller-General is therefore subject to the Public Service Rules, which stipulate retirement at 60 years of age or after 35 years of pensionable service, whichever comes first.

The latest extension is expected to provide continuity for key reforms and modernization initiatives currently being implemented by the Nigeria Customs Service.