President Bola Tinubu has granted a six-month tenure extension to Adewale Adeniyi, comptroller-general of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, announced the decision in a statement on Friday.

According to Onanuga, Adeniyi’s current tenure was due to expire on August 1, 2026.

However, the president approved a final extension that will run until February 2027.

Why Tinubu approved the extension

Onanuga said the extension will allow Adeniyi to consolidate the implementation of the National Single Window project.

Furthermore, the extension is expected to ensure a smooth leadership transition within the customs service.

“The six-month extension, which will expire in February 2027, is to enable him to consolidate the implementation of the National Single Window and ensure an orderly succession in the service,” the statement reads.

Focus on promotions, retirements

Meanwhile, Adeniyi will work with the NCS board during the transition period.

According to the statement, he will oversee the promotion of eligible officers to the rank of comptroller.

In addition, he will supervise the compulsory retirement of officers who have attained 60 years of age or completed 35 years in service.

Adeniyi’s career progression

Adeniyi joined the customs service after graduating from Obafemi Awolowo University in the late 1980s.

Subsequently, he rose through the ranks of the service.

He became deputy comptroller in 2012 and comptroller in 2017.

Later, he was promoted to assistant comptroller-general in 2020.

In January 2023, he became acting deputy comptroller-general.

Thereafter, Tinubu appointed him comptroller-general of customs in June 2023.

The latest extension will keep Adeniyi in office until February 2027.