Customs Trains Journalists on Trade Modernisation, Digital Reforms
The Nigeria Customs Service has commenced a four-day capacity-building workshop for journalists in Abuja aimed at enhancing media understanding of the Service’s ongoing Trade Modernisation Project and broader institutional reforms.
The workshop, themed “Enhancing Media Knowledge and Understanding of Customs Modernisation Project,” brought together journalists from various media organisations across the country.
Declaring the workshop open on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation, Timi Bomodi, said the media plays a critical role in the success of the Service’s reform agenda.
Bomodi noted that the rapid pace of reforms within the Customs Service had made it necessary for stakeholders, particularly journalists, to fully understand the purpose, direction and expected impact of the transformation process.
“A lot is happening within the Service, and sometimes it may be difficult for stakeholders to keep pace with the speed of these developments. That is why engagements like this have become necessary,” he said.
He described the Trade Modernisation Project as one of the most strategic reforms currently being undertaken by the Service, aimed at eliminating inefficiencies, simplifying trade procedures and creating a more predictable business environment.
According to him, the project is central to the Customs Service’s transformation agenda through the deployment of digital platforms, automation of procedures and systems integration.
“The Trade Modernisation Project sits at the centre of our transformation journey. Through digital platforms, automation of procedures and systems integration, we are building a Customs administration that is efficient, transparent and globally competitive,” Bomodi stated.
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He stressed that reforms of such magnitude could only succeed with adequate public understanding, noting that the media remains the bridge between government institutions and the public.
“When change happens, stakeholders must understand not just what is changing, but why it is changing. That is where the media becomes indispensable,” he added.
Earlier, the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, said the training was designed to equip journalists with practical knowledge of the modernisation project and the broader reforms within the Service.
“In this era of global trade and technological advancement, it has become necessary to carry critical stakeholders, particularly the media, along in this journey of transformation,” Maiwada said.
He noted that beyond infrastructure and technology, the success of Customs modernisation depends largely on accurate public communication and informed reportage.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of Trade Modernisation Project Limited, Ahmad Ogunsola, urged participants to engage actively during the sessions and seek clarification on all aspects of the project.
“Our objective is to answer as many questions as possible and ensure that by the end of this engagement, participants leave with a deeper understanding of the project and its impact on trade facilitation in Nigeria,” Ogunsola said.
Members of the Customs Management Team present at the opening ceremony included the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of ICT/Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, and the Assistant Comptroller-General in charge of Headquarters, Muhammad Shu’aibu.
Resource persons at the workshop included Deputy Comptroller Nafi’u Salihu, who delivered a presentation on the Integrated Non-Intrusive Inspection System, alongside Assistant Comptroller Bukola Omoniyi and other senior officers of the Service.
By PRNigeria
