Nigeria Customs: Anti-Corruption Reforms Yielding Results — Spokesman
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says its ongoing integrity and institutional reforms are helping to curb corruption, strengthen transparency and promote ethical conduct among its officers.
The National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada stated this on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, on the sidelines of 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 role of institutional reforms and strategic communication in addressing corruption and promoting economic stability.
Maiwada said integrity remained a fundamental pillar of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), adding that the NCS had continued to align its operations with global standards through integrity perception surveys, institutional reforms and stronger collaboration with anti-corruption agencies.
He said the Service had conducted integrity perception surveys involving both internal and external stakeholders, with feedback from the exercises helping to shape its modernisation programmes and other reform initiatives.
«“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 Code of Conduct Bureau had recently visited the Service as part of efforts to reinforce ethical standards and promote responsible conduct among Customs personnel.
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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, deepening inequality and undermining national security.
Aliyu stressed that corruption was not peculiar to Nigeria or Africa, noting that cases recorded in different parts of the world demonstrated the transnational nature of corrupt practices.
The event also featured the presentation of the Young Communicator of the Year award to Assistant Superintendent of Customs I Folusho Adeogun, Liaison Officer of the Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network (NCBN).
Adeogun dedicated the award to the Nigeria Customs Service and pledged to continue contributing to the growth and effectiveness of the institution through professional 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 recognition of the officer’s commitment, professionalism and hard work.
He said the achievement demonstrated the value of personal dedication and willingness to learn, particularly among young officers.
«“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 ceremony into a platform for promoting professionalism, effective communication and public trust.
The recognition of Adeogun highlights the growing emphasis on professional communication within public institutions, while the discussions at the event underscored the importance of sustained anti-corruption reforms, institutional accountability and effective public engagement in strengthening governance.
By PRNigeria
