The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) have called for stronger collaboration between media practitioners and communication scholars to confront the growing threat of artificial intelligence-driven disinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The call was made on Monday, August 31, 2026, when executive members of ACSPN visited the NCS National Headquarters in Abuja to discuss deeper cooperation in media, digital communication and professional development.
Speaking at a joint press briefing during the visit, the President of ACSPN, Professor Rotimi Williams Olatunji, stressed the need for media organisations to strengthen their capacity to identify and counter misinformation, disinformation and AI-manipulated content, including deepfakes.
Olatunji urged media organisations to institutionalise fact-checking as part of their editorial processes, noting that citizens would increasingly depend on credible media platforms to navigate the complex information environment surrounding the 2027 elections.
He called for greater synergy between communication scholars and media practitioners to promote fact-based public discourse and strengthen public understanding of electoral issues in an increasingly digital environment.
The ACSPN President also announced the association’s 2026 National Conference, themed, “Media, Technology and Elections in Africa: Navigating Digital Disruptions and Dynamics of Communication.”
The conference is expected to examine the impact of artificial intelligence, social media and digital platforms on political communication as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
Earlier, the National Public Relations Officer and spokesperson of the NCS, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, said effective communication remained central to the success of institutional reforms.
Receiving the delegation on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, Maiwada said the Service had continued to deploy its monthly newsletter, social media platforms and data analytics to improve communication with the public.
He emphasised the importance of integrating communication into institutional reforms, stating that “in every reform, communication must be embedded to achieve the desired result.”
Maiwada also highlighted the NCS’s engagement with the creative industry through its one-off movie, Beyond the Badge, and the 79-episode series, Novera, which he said had begun generating revenue for the Service while creating employment opportunities in the entertainment sector.
He disclosed plans to expand the Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network (NCBN) to Lagos, while also announcing the Service’s intention to pursue corporate membership of ACSPN and encourage its public relations officers to join the association.
Olatunji, in turn, commended Maiwada for his continued support for ACSPN and welcomed the proposed institutional partnership, pledging the association’s support for Customs personnel seeking higher academic and professional qualifications.
The engagement concluded with a tour of key facilities at the NCS headquarters, including the Information and Communication Technology/Modernisation Department and the NCBN studios, where the delegation received briefings on the Service’s digital operations and media strategy.
