Wale Adeniyi: Man with Midas touch

• By Ray Ekpa

On Wednesday April 15, history turned a page at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos. That iconic institution which for many years has been producing gold standard journalists and other graduates in the bigger field of Mass Communication conferred its prestigious fellowship award on Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). At the Customs today Adeniyi is the main event.

The Customs had been, in the past, in the eye of a tornado for its lacklustre handling of its anti-smuggling activities and the unprofessional handling of goods clearance which led to a not-very-impressive revenue collection. Today, Adeniyi who became the head of the Customs in June 2023 has injected immense gravitas into the Customs making it one of the high revenue-yielding institutions in Nigeria. Look at the figures: the revenue raked in by the Customs for the federal government in 2020 was N1.56 trillion but in 2024, the year after his appointment as CGC, the figure jumped to an impressive N6.105 trillion. And in 2025 it climbed further to an unprecedented level: N7.28 trillion. That is evidence that the new man on the block has a Midas touch.

Adeniyi was born on January 19, 1966, four days after the first military coup in Nigeria. In 1987, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in International Relations from the University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University. Two years later he got a post-graduate diploma in Basic Public Relations from the NIJ. Being a man with an unquenchable thirst for higher education, he acquired a Masters of Communication Science degree from the Universita della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland in 2013. In August 2025, he capped his educational journey with a Doctorate degree in Leadership and Security Studies from the Federal University of Lokoja.

Since his enlistment into the Customs as a cadet officer in 1990, he has undertaken several career-enhancing courses at Harvard University, United States and University of California, Los Angeles, United States. His wide ranging education and exposure have given him a truckload of ideas which he has used in revamping and resetting the Customs. He introduced Operation Whirlwind which was used, and is still being used, in combating the smuggling of petroleum products to neighbouring countries. He has also been praised for improving the morale, capacity building and professionalism of his officers through the introduction of the new technology such as AI and insurance assets.

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These excellent performances over the years have yielded some rewards. He is now wearing the white garment of honour given to him over the years. Some of them are CGC Award for the seizure of $8, 065,612 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in January 2020; Best Customs Public Relations Officer 2004-2007; Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (FNIPR); Nigerian Institute of Public Relations Presidential Award, April 2018, National Honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) by President Muhammadu Buhari on October 11, 2022. These various awards represent a validation of his excellence, integrity, innovation, exemplary and meritorious public service.

However, the Fellowship Award given to him by the NIJ represents the icing on the cake, the finest feather on his multiple caps, for two reasons. One, the NIJ is an iconic institution of unassailable integrity. Two, Adeniyi is the first ex-student of the institute to be given this prestigious fellowship since its inception.

At the award ceremony, the chairman of the NIJ’s Governing Council, Aremo Segun Osoba had described the moment as historic on many fronts. He said that the conferment was approved by President Bola Tinubu who is also a Fellow of the NIJ. That approval by the president, said Osoba, underlines its national importance. He said also that Adeniyi’s journey from being a student of the institute in 1989 to the pinnacle of the Nigerian Customs Service demonstrates a legacy of diligence, professionalism and excellence. His career trajectory, according to Osoba, stands as a model for aspiring journalists and public servants alike.

The hall where the Award was given was filled to overflowing by media icons such as Uncle Sam Amuka, publisher of the Vanguard, the president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Eze Anaba, board members of the governing council, Customs officials as well as multiple friends of Adeniyi who came from far and near. It was a post card perfect day for both the NIJ and Adeniyi. The weather was fine, the crowd was stupendous; the atmosphere was serene and the speeches were excellent. The event received the blaze and dazzle of popularity for which events of the Institute are noted.

In his admirable speech, Adeniyi said that the values instilled in him during his days at the institute especially professionalism and ethical conduct, have shaped his career in the public service. He said that “this institution planted in me a set of values that I did not fully understand at the time but which have guided me through every stage of my career.” He said that with the help of his friends in Nigeria and abroad he would give the NIJ a two-storey multi-media centre and that the project is a product of needs-assessment. According to him, the gift is designed to strengthen practical training in multi-media journalism and communication.

Adeniyi’s gift was a manifest expression of love to the NIJ, his alma mater because gift is one of the native dialects of love. This expression of love is an affirmation of the value of reciprocity in relationship building. His alma mater showed love to him and he too showed love to it. The expression of love by both parties will bring an enhanced value to an institution that has made its mark as a significant trainer of media professionals in Nigeria over the years. Adeniyi’s gift is the equivalent of a charm offensive for which the students, management, faculty and governing council of the institute must be perpetually grateful. His name will be written in gold in the history of the institute and the beneficiaries of his compassion will remember him as long as the institute lives.

Anyone can be a pilot in calm waters. Adeniyi has navigated the hills and valleys of Nigeria’s public service, and swam in calm and turbulent waters without being drowned. He remains amiable and humble, evidence that he probably remembers what Chinua Achebe said about those whose palm kernels were cracked by a benevolent spirit. Achebe said they must not forget to be humble. Adeniyi is humble even though he has occupied some of the very important posts in his service journey. Such posts include Commandant of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, Abuja and Deputy Comptroller General of Customs before he got the biggest one: CGC.

And when he clinched the chairmanship of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) a few months ago Nigerians had no choice but to break into song and dance because Nigeria had got a global recognition, for the first time, in that sector. And it is Adeniyi who brought us the gift.