Customs to Embed Media Capacity Building in 2026 Strategy — Maiwada
Kathy Kyari
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced plans to institutionalise structured journalist training and regular media engagement as part of its 2026 Strategic Plan, reaffirming its commitment to transparency, professional reportage, and improved public understanding of Customs operations.
This position was made known at the 2025 Zone ‘A’ End-of-Year Media Parley held on Friday at the Customs Training College, Ikeja, Lagos, where maritime journalists, public relations officers, and senior Customs officials converged for what the Service described as a deliberate effort to deepen media–custom relations.
Speaking at the parley, the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Deputy Comptroller of Customs (DC) Abdullahi Maiwada, said the Service’s focus is shifting from ad-hoc training opportunities to capacity-building initiatives that deliver measurable impact on reportage.
“What matters is the impact of the training on what you are doing. If you are to inform the public, you must first understand the service,” Maiwada said.
He explained that effective Customs reporting requires journalists to grasp the technical jargons, operational frameworks, and peculiarities of Customs work within the Nigerian context, noting that journalist training would feature prominently in the NCS 2026 Strategic Plan, with structured programmes to be rolled out across clusters nationwide.
Maiwada further described the Public Relations Department as one that “observes, analyses and advises management,” assuring journalists that feedback from the media would be taken seriously and appropriately escalated within the Service.
On internal capacity, he disclosed that the NCS is prioritising training for officers in media relations, emotional intelligence, and communication management, including the use of artificial intelligence tools, to strengthen engagement with the media and other stakeholders.
He also urged Customs officers to uphold professionalism and humility, stressing that uniformed authority is temporary and lasting institutional credibility is built through respectful communication and strong relationships.
While acknowledging the operational pressures faced by officers, Maiwada appealed for mutual understanding from journalists, noting that Customs personnel are human and can sometimes be overwhelmed. He assured stakeholders of sustained collaboration and constructive engagement going forward.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) Abdullahi Lagos, described the parley as the first of its kind in Zone ‘A’, saying it was designed to go beyond routine reporting and create an internal forum for honest dialogue between the Service and the media.
Opening the event, the Public Relations Officer of Zone ‘A’, CSC Akaninyene Edeminam, welcomed participants, describing the media as a critical partner in the execution of the Service’s mandate.
“I am delighted to warmly welcome you to this End-of-Year Media parley organised by the Nigerian Customs Service, Zone ‘A’, your presence today underscores a strong and enduring relationship between the service and the Media-a relationship founded on mutual respect, transparency and a shared responsibility to keep the Nigerian public well informed,” Edeminam said.
“As we approach the end of the year, this gathering offers us an important moment to reflect on our engagements, assess our progress and exchange views for a better year ahead. This is because the NCS recognises the media as a vital partner in the execution of its mandate,” he added.
Goodwill messages from maritime journalists acknowledged the evolving role of the Customs Public Relations units.
Jennifer Igwe of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) cautioned that, “As we meet to Parley, we should be totally aware of our responsibility to our nation.”
MARCON President, Ismail Aniemu described the PR unit as “the unsung hero of the Services,” noting that “They have churned out so many stories that make our job easier in the course of the last two years. The Service has done so well.”
President of CONMMEP, Udo Onyeka said the NCS had been “very remarkable in the execution of their mandates including in the area of corporate social responsibility,” while Vera OSOKPO, AMJON President observed that for “50 weeks of the year, the PR department of the NCS has given us contents, things to write about,” urging the Service to sustain the momentum.
Chairman, Caretaker committee, MARAN, Jaiyeola Olatunde commended Zone ‘A’ but suggested that “The Parley be made a quarterly event,” while veteran journalist, Okey Iroegbu said the NCS had “acquitted itself well in all considerations,” appealing for greater magnanimity towards maritime journalists.
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