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Customs Chief’s Tenure Extension: Setting the Record Straight on Igbo Representation Claims
Customs Chief’s Tenure Extension: Setting the Record Straight on Igbo Representation Claims
False allegations of ethnic bias in leadership decision prompt official clarification
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to extend the tenure of Comptroller-General Adewale Bashiru Adeniyi by one year has sparked controversy, with some alleging the move sidelines Igbo officers within the Nigeria Customs Service.
The extension, announced on July 30, 2025, allows Adeniyi to continue in his role until August 2026, beyond his original retirement date of August 31, 2025. According to Presidential Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, the extension aims to consolidate modernization reforms and oversee the National Single Window Project rollout.
Critics alleged that Deputy Comptroller General B.U. Nwafor, an Igbo officer from Anambra State, was deliberately bypassed for promotion due to her ethnicity. The allegation gained traction on social media platforms and prompted a strongly-worded statement from Ohanaeze Nd’Igbo Worldwide.
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization condemned what it termed “selective injustice” and “institutional unfairness,” with National Publicity Secretary Dr. Ezechi Chukwu describing the extension as “blatant nepotism over merit.”
Customs Service officials have provided detailed records to counter these claims:
Service Records Clarification: DCG Nwafor, born June 6, 1966, and employed September 29, 1990, was actually due for mandatory pre-retirement leave on May 22, 2025, with full retirement on August 29, 2025 – predating the tenure extension controversy.
Seniority Questions: At the time of the extension, Nwafor was not the most senior deputy comptroller general. Several officers ranked above her, including DCG J.P. Ajoku (also Igbo), DCG Itoto G.A., DCG Mohammed A.B., and DCG Jibo B.M.
The Nigeria Customs Service 2023 Act grants the President authority to appoint any officer not below Assistant Comptroller General rank as Comptroller-General, making seniority among deputy comptrollers general
Service records indicate significant Igbo representation in key positions:
– Strategic commands led by Igbo officers include Tin Can Island Port (first time in 22 years), Seme Border (first time in 25 years), and several other critical posts
– Assistant Comptroller General Kingsley Egwun received a one-year service extension in 2025
– Recent promotions included one DCG position out of four promoted, and three ACG positions out of 11 promoted going to Igbo officers
Adeniyi’s extended tenure focuses on completing the Customs Modernization Project, dubbed “B’Odogwu,” featuring technology-driven reforms including:
– Authorized Economic Operator systems
– Advance Ruling mechanisms
– Time Release Studies
– Knowledge-based promotions with geographical balance
Industry experts have praised these initiatives as transformative for Nigeria’s trade facilitation and revenue generation capabilities.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions around ethnic representation in federal appointments. While critics see patterns of marginalization, service officials argue the current administration has provided unprecedented opportunities for Igbo advancement within Customs.
Adeniyi currently serves as Chairman of the World Customs Organisation, a position he secured based on his global trade policy expertise.
The incident has raised questions about due diligence in public statements by ethnic advocacy groups. As Nigeria grapples with unity challenges, accurate information becomes crucial for constructive dialogue between regions and the federal government.
The one-year extension period will serve as a test case for whether merit-based appointments can coexist with equitable ethnic representation in federal service leadership.