The Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Lagos conferred a Fellowship Award on Comptroller-General of Customs Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi at a special convocation held last week at the institute's campus in Ogba, Ikeja. Adeniyi, an alumnus of the institute, became the 14th Nigerian to receive the honour, joining figures such as President Bola Tinubu, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Sam Amuka, Nduka Obaigbena, Maiden Ibru, John Momoh, Kesington Adebutu and Boni Haruna. Speaking at the event, NIJ Governing Council chairman Aremo Osoba said the fellowship is reserved for individuals who have made landmark impacts in society, noting that the previous recipient, Kesington Adebutu, was recognised for his nationwide contributions to education and community development. Osoba stated it took the board four years to approve Adebutu's award and emphasized that Adeniyi's recognition was unanimous, citing his leadership in increasing Customs' revenue contributions from billions to trillions of naira and his election as Chairman of the World Council of Customs, a first for a Nigerian. Adeniyi, who holds an academic PhD from a federal university, described his time at NIJ in 1989 as foundational, crediting the institution for instilling values of professionalism, discipline and self-development. He announced plans to donate a two-storey multimedia building complex and a radio station, including upgrading the NIJ Community Radio, which has operated online for several years.
Aremo Osoba insists the NIJ fellowship is not given lightly, yet celebrates a customs chief whose revenue surge coincides with widespread public complaints over import restrictions and port delays. While Adeniyi speaks of values from 1989, Nigerians today face longer clearance times and higher costs for basic goods under his watch. His donation to NIJ may benefit students, but does not address the everyday trader struggling at Apapa or Tin Can Island ports. Recognition for revenue figures alone ignores the human cost of how those numbers were achieved.
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