NIPR Hails Bashir Adeniyi’s Election as WCO Chairperson, Says PR Now a Core Leadership Function

By Tajudeen Akintunde 

The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has congratulated the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, fnipr, on his historic election as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO).

Adeniyi, who served as the Immediate Past Vice President of NIPR, was elected at the concluding session of the 145th/146th WCO Council Meeting held on Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Brussels, Belgium. His emergence marks the first time a Nigerian will hold the esteemed position at the helm of the WCO, a global intergovernmental organization headquartered in Brussels and comprising 185 member states.

In a congratulatory message released by the NIPR on its Facebook page, its President and Chairman of Council, Dr. Ike Neliaku, fnipr, described the election as a testament to the strategic relevance of public relations in governance and leadership across sectors.

“As a professional body, the NIPR is deeply delighted with your election as the Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation. This historic achievement highlights the role of strategic communication in raising the bar of excellence in leadership and reinforces the fact that Public Relations has indeed become a leadership function,” Neliaku stated.

Dr. Neliaku further commended Adeniyi’s consistency in projecting Nigeria positively on the global stage and expressed optimism that his tenure will usher in innovative reforms in customs administration worldwide. He added that effective communication of WCO’s activities under Adeniyi’s leadership would deepen stakeholder engagement and global visibility.

The Institute also acknowledged Adeniyi’s recent appointment as Vice Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG), an initiative spearheaded by the NIPR to strengthen national image and values.