…as NCS Shines at 2025 Nigeria PR Week in Uyo
…NCS NPRO Maiwada advocates strategic communication for policy impact
By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has once again taken a prominent role on the national stage, emerging as a leader in institutional communication and public sector branding during the ongoing 2025 Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW), being held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
A major highlight of the weeklong conference came with the official installation of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, as the Vice Chair of the Body of Advisers of the Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG), a national initiative committed to redefining Nigeria’s image both locally and globally.
The 2025 edition of the NPRW, organized by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), commenced on Monday, May 19, and will run through Friday, May 23, bringing together an array of public relations experts, government communicators, corporate strategists, and policymakers. The event serves as a key platform for examining the evolving relationship between communication strategy and national development.
Declaring the conference open on Tuesday, May 20, the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to deploying strategic communication as a tool for rebranding Nigeria, promoting national unity, and attracting both domestic and international investment.
The appointment of CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi as Vice Chair of the NRMG Advisory Board was a key milestone at the event, recognizing his consistent efforts in promoting institutional transparency, stakeholder engagement, and a culture of trust within the Nigeria Customs Service. His new role further positions the NCS as a thought leader in the area of public sector communication and reputation management.
Speaking shortly after his installation, CGC Adeniyi expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve in such a pivotal role:
“I consider it a great privilege to be part of this important national assignment. I have full trust in the vision and capacity of this group. With the calibre of individuals involved, I am confident we will make significant strides in reshaping the narrative around Nigeria’s image both at home and abroad.”
Adeniyi joins other distinguished national figures on the advisory board, including renowned broadcaster and media executive, Mr. John Momoh, Chairman of Channels Television, who was named Chair of the NRMG Body of Advisers. The advisory board is expected to provide strategic guidance to the NRMG in its efforts to harmonize and amplify Nigeria’s brand identity on multiple platforms.
Further cementing the Customs Service’s thought leadership at the forum, the National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, delivered a well-received presentation titled “Advances in Government, Policy and Regulatory Communication.” His address highlighted the need for strategic clarity, transparency, and stakeholder inclusion in government messaging, drawing from the transformative communication practices currently being deployed by the Nigeria Customs Service.
“The dynamics of modern governance and policy implementation demand more than just information dissemination,” Maiwada stated. “Citizens today want to feel understood, engaged, and empowered. At Customs, we have adopted a multi-channel approach, using modern communication tools to build public trust and operational accountability.”
Maiwada’s presentation sparked conversations around the necessity for regulatory agencies to humanize their operations, making government communication more relatable and accessible to citizens, especially in this digital era.
As proceedings continue in Uyo, the active engagement of the Nigeria Customs Service at this high-level gathering has not only reinforced its commitment to national development but also underscored its evolving role as a pace-setter in public relations, policy communication, and national image-building.
The 2025 Nigeria Public Relations Week is expected to end with key resolutions that will shape the future of strategic communication across sectors in Nigeria, with the Customs Service already marking itself as a central figure in the emerging narrative.
