By Tunde Ojudun
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reiterated its dedication to enhancing media engagement and capacity building for journalists as part of its 2026 strategic agenda.
At the 2025 Zone ‘A’ End-of-Year Media Parley held on Friday, December 19, the National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, PhD, emphasized that the Service’s focus is not just on sending journalists abroad for training, but on ensuring that such initiatives lead to impactful reporting and deeper public understanding.
“What matters is the impact of the training on what you are doing. If you are to inform the public, you must first understand the Service,” Maiwada stated.
He stressed the importance of journalists understanding the technical language and operational nuances of Customs work from a Nigerian perspective. According to him, journalist training will be a key feature in the NCS 2026 Strategic Plan, with structured programs to be rolled out across various regional clusters.
Maiwada also highlighted the evolving role of the Public Relations Department as a bridge between the Service and the public, tasked with observation, analysis, and advisory responsibilities. He assured that feedback from journalists would be taken seriously and routed appropriately within the organization.
Underscoring the need for emotional intelligence, professionalism, and humility, Maiwada urged Customs officers, especially those in public-facing roles, to foster respectful and effective communication. He noted that the uniform is temporary, but relationships built on mutual respect endure.
To this end, the NCS is prioritizing officer training in media relations, emotional intelligence, and communication management, including the integration of artificial intelligence tools to enhance engagement with journalists and stakeholders.
Acknowledging the pressures faced by officers, Maiwada called for empathy and constructive dialogue, assuring journalists of continued collaboration and openness.
Earlier, Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) Abdullahi Lagos, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, described the parley as a landmark event for Zone ‘A’. He explained that the initiative was designed to go beyond routine reporting and foster honest, in-house dialogue between the media and Customs.
He commended the Comptroller-General of Customs for championing professionalism and transparency, emphasizing that every Public Relations Officer must understand and respect the media to effectively safeguard the Service’s image.
CSC Lagos assured that journalists’ feedback had been duly noted and that future editions of the parley would be further improved.
In his welcome address, CSC Akaniuyene Edeminam, Zonal Public Relations Officer for Zone ‘A’, described the media as indispensable partners in advancing Customs’ mandate of public enlightenment and transparency. He said the parley offered a platform to reflect on the year’s achievements, strengthen relationships, and prepare for a more impactful 2026.
Leaders of maritime media associations also delivered goodwill messages, commending the NCS for its reforms and openness. Pastor Tunde Ayodele, President of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), praised the Comptroller-General for embracing technology-driven initiatives and lauded the PR Unit’s professionalism.
Similarly, Mr. Ismail Aniemu, President of the Maritime Correspondents Association of Nigeria (MARCON), described the NCS PR unit as one of the most technologically advanced among public institutions, citing its digital responsiveness throughout 2025.
Mr. Udo Onyeka, President of the Congress of Nigerian Maritime Media Practitioners (CONMMEP), applauded the Service’s media-friendly approach and its commitment to reforms, corporate social responsibility engagement in port communities.
The media parley brought together maritime journalists and Customs PR officers, reinforcing a shared commitment to transparency, collaboration, and national development.