By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), FCT Chapter, have agreed to deepen institutional collaboration in a bid to enhance professionalism, ethical standards, and excellence in the practice of public relations across government agencies.
This commitment was the highlight of a courtesy visit by the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, to the NIPR FCT Secretariat in Abuja on Thursday, 16 May 2025. Maiwada led a delegation of officers from the Customs Public Relations Unit to explore strategic avenues for knowledge-sharing and mutual support between the two organisations.
Speaking during the visit, Assistant Comptroller Maiwada emphasized the NCS’s dedication to setting a benchmark in strategic communication and ethical public relations. “We are committed to ensuring that professionalism and excellence define our PR operations within the Nigeria Customs Service,” he stated. He further noted that the Customs PR Unit is driven by youthful dynamism and bolstered by the unwavering support of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.
Welcoming the delegation, Chairman of the NIPR FCT Chapter, Stanley Ogadigo, commended the Customs Service for its progressive communication strategies and praised the Comptroller-General for upholding the highest standards of public engagement. “We’re proud of the strides the Customs Service has made under the current leadership,” Ogadigo said. “The CGC has proven to be a shining example of proactive and transparent leadership.”
Ogadigo assured the NCS of NIPR’s readiness to support initiatives aimed at improving public sector communications, especially through capacity building, collaborative advocacy, and professional development.
Key discussions at the meeting focused on future collaborations, including tailored training programmes, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and ways to adapt public communication strategies to the challenges of a fast-evolving media environment.
Both organisations reaffirmed their commitment to fostering continuous learning, institutional credibility, and the strategic role of public relations in nation-building. The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to pursue sustainable, mutually beneficial initiatives that would enhance the visibility and public trust of government institutions.
