By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its efforts to combat fake news, online scams and misleading information by deploying artificial intelligence (AI) and digital data-tracking tools to monitor online activities, establish facts and protect the institution’s image.
The National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this on Friday, October 30, 2026, while representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the Neccipr Roundtable ’26 held in Lagos.
Speaking on the theme, ‘Algorithm Influence and Public Relations’, Maiwada said the Service was leveraging emerging technologies to strengthen its communication strategies, track misleading narratives and address information capable of undermining public confidence in the institution.
He explained that artificial intelligence had become an important component of Customs operations, particularly in risk management, intelligence gathering and strategic communication.
“The role of AI cannot be overemphasised, especially within our operations. Over the years, AI has been deployed in our core operational duties as well as strategic communication.
“AI has also been deployed to aid risk management, which involves assessment of the risks in imported items so that they can be categorised according to their different levels of risk to enable appropriate Customs interventions,” he said.
Maiwada further explained that AI could analyse public sentiment and provide insights into how Nigerians perceive Customs activities, enabling the Service to respond more effectively to public concerns and misinformation.
He added that the NCS was utilising available digital platforms to establish facts while collaborating with relevant agencies to identify and apprehend individuals behind misleading information.
The Customs spokesperson stressed that effective communication remained essential to ensuring public understanding and acceptance of the activities of officers, noting that the Service must continually adapt its communication approach to the changing digital environment.
Earlier, the convener of the Neccipr Roundtable ’26, Nkechi Ali-Balogun, said the programme was established on the conviction that public relations professionals must go beyond managing institutional messages to actively shape national discourse.
She observed that the growing influence of artificial intelligence and digital algorithms had significantly changed how information was generated, distributed and consumed, raising concerns about their impact on public opinion.
“This year, we confront a question that touches every one of us. When machines decide what we see, who is really shaping the Nigerian mind? Who now controls the flow of information that shapes what Nigerians believe?” she said.
Ali-Balogun noted that a single algorithm could shape political narratives, amplify conspiracy theories and determine what millions of people read, believe and share.
The event also featured keynote addresses by the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ike Neliaku, and former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, alongside other invited dignitaries.
The discussions highlighted the need for public relations professionals and institutions to embrace technological innovation while upholding credibility, professionalism and responsible information management in an increasingly algorithm-driven information environment.
