Professionalising the Voices Behind Nigeria Customs
By Abdulsalam Mahmud,
Every institution is ultimately judged not only by what it does but also by how effectively it tells its story. Reforms, innovations and outstanding achievements can easily go unnoticed when they are not communicated with clarity, credibility and professionalism.
In an era where information travels at remarkable speed, public institutions require communication experts who can separate facts from rumours and inspire public confidence. That reality is becoming increasingly evident within the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
For years, the Nigeria Customs has transformed from an agency largely associated with revenue collection and anti-smuggling operations into a modern institution driving trade facilitation, border security and national economic development. The reforms introduced in recent years have attracted both local and international attention.
They have also created a greater need for skilled communicators capable of explaining the Service’s evolving role to diverse audiences. Strategic communication has therefore become as important as operational success itself.
That commitment came into sharper focus on last Monday, when the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) inducted seventy Public Relations officers of the Nigeria Custom at the Service Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja. The ceremony marked the first mass induction of Customs Public Relations officers into the Institute since 2013.
Beyond the colourful event, it symbolised a deliberate investment in professionalism and institutional excellence. It also reflected a recognition that effective communication is now central to modern Customs administration.
Addressing the newly-inducted officers, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, described the exercise as an investment in the future of the Service’s communication architecture. According to him, the impressive reforms recorded by the Service deserve equally professional communication capable of reaching Nigerians with accuracy and credibility.
He reminded the officers that every institutional achievement must be supported by responsible storytelling. His remarks underscored the growing strategic importance of Public Relations within the Service. Adeniyi also linked effective communication to the broader transformation taking place within the agency.
As the Service embraces technology-driven Customs administration, he observed that the communication environment has become increasingly complex. Misinformation spreads rapidly, while public perception can easily shape confidence in government institutions.
For that reason, he challenged the officers to remain proactive, factual and responsive in managing the Service’s reputation. His message reflected an important reality of public service. Communication is no longer limited to issuing statements after events have occurred.
It now requires anticipating public concerns, engaging stakeholders consistently and responding swiftly to inaccurate narratives. Institutions that communicate effectively are often better positioned to earn public trust than those that remain silent.
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For the Nigeria Custom, that responsibility now rests more heavily on professionally certified practitioners. The induction also highlighted another significant milestone under the current Customs leadership. Adeniyi disclosed that the Service’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, Customs Cares, is set to receive recognition at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.
Such recognition extends beyond operational achievements into the broader impact of public institutions on society. It also demonstrates why positive initiatives require skilled professionals who can communicate their value to the public. The NIPR recognised this growing culture of professionalism within the NCS.
Speaking during the ceremony, the President and Chairman of Council of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku, commended the Customs leadership for investing in certified communication practitioners. He observed that the Service has become one of Nigeria’s most respected public institutions because of its sustained reforms and corporate excellence.
His remarks reflected the increasing reputation the Service enjoys both within Nigeria and across the international Customs community. Former National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, retired Comptroller Joseph Attah, offered another important perspective.
He reminded the newly-inducted officers that professional certification carries ethical responsibilities. Accuracy, honesty and accountability, he stressed, must remain the foundation of every communication effort. He also encouraged continuous learning, noting that effective crisis communication demands preparation, empathy and sound professional judgment.
The current PRO of the Service, Deputy Comptroller Aliyu Maiwada, described the induction as the product of years of commitment by successive leaders who strengthened the Public Relations Unit. He acknowledged the support of the Comptroller-General as well as former Customs spokespersons who helped build the communication structure that exists today.
His remarks reflected an understanding that institutional success is rarely achieved overnight. Instead, it grows through sustained leadership, mentorship and continuous investment in people. For the 70 inductees, the ceremony represented far more than the presentation of certificates.
It marked their formal entry into a regulated profession with clearly defined ethical standards and expectations. It also entrusted them with the responsibility of shaping public understanding of one of Nigeria’s most important government institutions. Every engagement, media briefing and public response they undertake will contribute to the image of the Service they represent.
Without gainsaying, the induction signals that the Nigeria Customs sees communication not as an afterthought but as a strategic pillar of institutional growth. Strong policies require strong implementation, while successful reforms require equally effective communication.
By investing in professional communicators, the NCS is strengthening one of the most important bridges between government and the public. As the voices behind Nigeria Customs become more professional, the institution itself is better positioned to earn greater trust, deepen stakeholder confidence and sustain the remarkable transformation already underway.
Mahmud, Deputy Editor of PRNigeria, wrote in via: [email protected].
