Customs Begins New Era in Strategic Communication as 70 PR Officers Join NIPR

By Adebola Isimijola, Lagos

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has taken a major step towards strengthening its strategic communication framework with the induction of 70 of its Public Relations officers into the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the first mass induction of Customs personnel into the professional body since 2013.

The induction ceremony, held on Monday at the Service Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, is aimed at professionalising the Service’s Public Relations workforce and equipping officers with the skills required to effectively communicate the agency’s reforms, operations and achievements.

The development was disclosed in a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday by the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, described the induction as a strategic investment in the future of the Service’s communication system, saying effective communication remains critical to sustaining the gains of the ongoing reforms within the agency.

According to him, the Service’s recent transformation, including its recognition as the best-performing government agency in Ease of Doing Business, was driven by deliberate reforms that require skilled professionals to project its achievements with credibility and clarity.

As the Service embraces technology-driven Customs administration, Adeniyi charged the newly inducted officers to remain proactive in tackling misinformation, shaping public perception and strengthening stakeholders’ confidence.

“Rumours will be heard, narratives will be pushed, so be ready to use your communication with clarity and the necessary measures so rumours can be addressed swiftly and decisively,” the Comptroller-General said.

Adeniyi also disclosed that the Service’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, Customs Cares, is expected to receive recognition at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games, describing it as a legacy project whose impact should continue to be amplified through ethical and strategic communication.

President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Dr. Ike Neliaku, commended the Customs Service for prioritising professionalism and investing in certified communication practitioners.

He noted that under Adeniyi’s leadership, the Service has emerged as a national institution widely recognised for its reforms, corporate excellence and growing influence within the global Customs community.

“You can no longer dismiss matters concerning the Service. You must be proud of this as a Nigerian,” Neliaku said.

Also speaking, a retired Comptroller of Customs and former National Public Relations Officer, Joseph Attah, urged the newly inducted officers to uphold the ethics of the Public Relations profession by remaining truthful, accurate and responsible in their communication.

He also encouraged them to pursue continuous professional development through seminars, workshops and active participation in NIPR activities, stressing that effective crisis communication requires composure, empathy and strategic thinking.

In his welcome address, the National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Aliyu Maiwada, attributed the achievement to the commitment of the Comptroller-General and the contributions of former Customs spokespersons who laid the foundation for the growth of the Public Relations Unit.

The induction of the 70 officers is expected to further strengthen the Service’s ongoing reform agenda and reinforce its commitment to institutional excellence through professional and strategic communication.