Nigeria Customs backs 2026 world Public Relations Forum

By Adebola Muili

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has pledged its support for the successful hosting of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF), scheduled to hold in Abuja from November 15 to 21, 2026.

The Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, made this known in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday, following a meeting between the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and organisers of the global event.

Adeniyi gave the assurance on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, when a delegation led by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, Professor Justin Green, and the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and Chairman of Council, Ike Neliaku, visited him at the Customs House, Maitama, Abuja.

The meeting provided an opportunity for the Customs boss to highlight the importance of strategic communication to the success of reforms being implemented by the Service.

Adeniyi spoke on major initiatives, including B’Odogwu, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme and Advance Ruling, noting that the reforms were aimed at improving Customs processes, providing greater predictability for legitimate traders and strengthening the relationship between the Service and its stakeholders.

According to him, effective communication remained important in promoting institutional trust and ensuring that stakeholders understood and engaged with reforms being introduced by the Service.

He said the NCS recognised the importance of the World Public Relations Forum and its potential to draw global attention to responsible communication, institutional trust and effective public service.

“The Nigeria Customs Service recognised the importance of the World Public Relations Forum and its potential to bring global attention to responsible communication, institutional trust and effective public service. And, I want to assure you of the Service’s support for the forthcoming event and its commitment to contributing to its success,” Adeniyi said.

Speaking on the significance of Nigeria’s hosting of the forum, Green said the event would represent a significant achievement for the country and the public relations profession in Africa.

He said the forum would also provide a global platform for Nigeria to showcase its cultural heritage, communication industry and innovative approaches to public relations.

Green added that the gathering would create opportunities for knowledge-sharing, professional collaboration and dialogue on the future of communication.

“We are expecting all the 126 member countries of the Global Alliance to grace this forum,” he said.

Earlier, Neliaku said the NIPR was engaging key institutions and stakeholders ahead of the forum because their participation and support were critical to the success of the international gathering.

He said the institute’s ambition was to deliver the “best, biggest, and brightest” World Public Relations Forum, while demonstrating Nigeria’s capacity to host a major global professional event.

Neliaku disclosed that the WPRF would be held in Abuja from November 15 to 21, 2026, under the theme, “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World.”