2027 Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to extend the tenure of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, describing the move as detrimental to institutional integrity and public service morale.
Sowore, reacting to the presidency’s approval of a final six-month extension for Adeniyi, argued that the decision sends the wrong signal within government institutions and weakens adherence to established rules.
In a post shared on his X account on Saturday, Sowore said:
“I wholeheartedly reject the six-month extension granted to the Comptroller-General of Customs after he should have retired nearly two years ago. This kind of wrong-headed policy is a morale killer in public institutions. It undermines professionalism, blocks career progression, and sends the message that rules apply only to some while others enjoy political favoritism. No institution can thrive when due process is sacrificed for personal or political convenience.”
The presidency had earlier announced that President Tinubu approved a final six-month extension of Adeniyi’s tenure as Comptroller-General of Customs.
According to the government, the extension is intended to allow the Customs chief complete ongoing reforms, particularly the implementation of the National Single Window project, while also ensuring a smooth leadership transition within the service.
The additional six months will keep Adeniyi in office until February 2027.
During the transition period, the Customs boss is expected to work with the Nigeria Customs Service Board to oversee the promotion of qualified officers to the rank of Comptroller, as well as the retirement of officers who have reached the mandatory retirement age of 60 years or completed 35 years in service.
Adeniyi, a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, joined the Nigeria Customs Service in the late 1980s and steadily rose through the ranks. He served as Deputy Comptroller in 2012, Comptroller in 2017, Assistant Comptroller-General in 2020, Acting Deputy Comptroller-General in January 2023, before being appointed Comptroller-General by President Tinubu in June 2023.
Sowore’s remarks add to the growing public debate over tenure extensions in key government institutions, with critics arguing that such decisions can affect succession planning and the advancement of senior officers within the civil service.
