Customs Seeks Stronger Media Partnership to Boost Public Trust, Effective Communication

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the media as part of efforts to build public trust, enhance communication on its ongoing reforms, and ensure Nigerians receive accurate information on its core responsibilities in trade facilitation, border security, anti-smuggling operations and economic development.

The commitment was made on Tuesday during a strategic media parley held ahead of the opening of the 2026 Nigeria Customs Service Public Relations Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Declaring the parley open on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the Zonal Coordinator, Zone 'C', Acting Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Pascal Chibuoke, urged participants from the South-East and South-South zones to maximise the opportunities presented by the conference.

He stressed the importance of effective communication in projecting the Service's image and deepening public understanding of its statutory responsibilities.

"Let us continue to project the positive image of the Nigeria Customs Service through effective communication and stronger public understanding of our statutory responsibilities," Chibuoke said.

In his remarks, the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, described journalists as indispensable partners in nation-building, noting that strategic communication remains critical to the success of the Service's ongoing reforms.

According to him, the reforms and innovations being implemented by the Nigeria Customs Service can only achieve their objectives if they are supported by public understanding and confidence.

"The reforms and innovations we are driving in the Nigeria Customs Service cannot succeed in isolation without public understanding and trust," Maiwada stated.

Also speaking, the Customs Area Controller of Port Harcourt Area I Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku, described the conference theme, "Realigning Corporate Communication as a Strategic Driver of Institutional Effectiveness and Public Trust," as both timely and relevant.

She commended the Comptroller-General for sustaining a communication culture that has strengthened engagement with stakeholders and applauded the National Public Relations Officer for consolidating those efforts.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Chief Superintendent of Customs Emmanuel Tangwa, said the choice of Port Harcourt as host city underscored the strategic importance of the South-South region to Nigeria's economy.

He noted that the conference provides an opportunity for the Service to showcase its achievements, explain its policies and address public misconceptions.

"This engagement is more than a meeting. It provides an opportunity to share our achievements, explain our policies and correct misconceptions," Tangwa said.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, Paul Bazia, also lauded the Nigeria Customs Service for maintaining a cordial and transparent relationship with the media.

He emphasised that transparency remains the bedrock of public confidence and pledged the continued support of journalists in ensuring that information from the Service is disseminated accurately, promptly and responsibly.

The 2026 Nigeria Customs Service Public Relations Conference is expected to bring together public relations practitioners, senior Customs officers and media professionals to deliberate on strategies for strengthening institutional communication, promoting transparency and enhancing public confidence in the Service.