Customs Highlights Integrity Reforms, Says Anti-Corruption Measures Paying Off

…As Adeogun Wins IMPR 2026 Young Communicator Award

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening integrity, transparency and accountability through sustained institutional reforms aimed at curbing corruption and promoting ethical conduct among officers.

The National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, stated this on Thursday at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, during the 4th Economic Confidential Lecture and 6th National Spokespersons Awards organised by Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR).

The event, themed “Anti-Corruption Reforms, Economic Stability and Effective Communication,” brought together stakeholders to examine the impact of anti-corruption measures and the role of effective communication in strengthening public institutions.

Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the event, Maiwada said integrity remained a fundamental pillar of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), stressing that the NCS had continued to align its operations with global standards through institutional reforms, integrity perception surveys and collaboration with anti-corruption agencies.

He said feedback from integrity perception surveys conducted among internal and external stakeholders had continued to guide the Service’s reforms and modernisation initiatives.

According to him, the NCS had also strengthened its engagement with relevant government institutions to promote ethical standards among its personnel.

“The World Customs Organisation is very intentional about the integrity of Customs officers worldwide. Nigeria Customs has conducted integrity perception surveys involving both internal and external stakeholders, and the feedback from those exercises has continued to shape our reforms, our modernisation projects and even our collaboration with other government agencies,” Maiwada said.

He added that the recent visit by the Code of Conduct Bureau to the Service was part of ongoing efforts to reinforce ethical conduct and accountability among Customs officers.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Adamu Aliyu, described corruption as a global challenge capable of distorting economies, widening inequality and undermining national security.

Aliyu stressed that corruption was not peculiar to Nigeria or Africa, noting that cases recorded across different parts of the world demonstrated the transnational nature of corrupt practices.

The event also witnessed the recognition of Assistant Superintendent of Customs I Folusho Adeogun, Liaison Officer of the Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network (NCBN), as the Young Communicator of the Year at the 6th National Spokespersons Awards.

Receiving the award, Adeogun dedicated the recognition to the Nigeria Customs Service, promising to contribute more to the growth and development of the institution through effective communication.

“This award will encourage me to contribute even more to the Service and ensure that I continue to play my role effectively. It has energised me to do more,” he said.

Congratulating Adeogun, Maiwada described the award as a reflection of the young officer’s commitment, professionalism and hard work.

He said the recognition demonstrated the importance of individual dedication and willingness to learn, noting that mentorship could only produce results when the recipient was committed to personal development.

“I am particularly delighted to see one of our young officers receive this recognition. No amount of mentorship can produce results unless the individual is willing to learn and improve himself. Adeogun has demonstrated commitment, professionalism and hard work,” Maiwada said.

The jury chairperson, Professor Saudat Abdulbaqi, said the National Spokespersons Awards had evolved beyond an annual recognition programme into a platform for promoting professionalism, effective communication and public trust.

The recognition of Adeogun is expected to further encourage young professionals within the Nigeria Customs Service and other public institutions to embrace excellence, ethical conduct and strategic communication in the discharge of their responsibilities.