The Nigeria Customs Service says the first mass induction of public relations officers in 13 years will strengthen strategic communication and counter misinformation as reforms deepen
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, has described the induction of 70 public relations officers into the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations as a strategic step towards strengthening the Service’s communication capacity and countering misinformation surrounding its operations.
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The induction ceremony, held at the Service Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, marks the first mass admission of Customs public relations officers into the institute since 2013 and forms part of the agency’s broader reform programme aimed at professionalising strategic communication.
According to a statement issued by the Nigeria Customs Service on Tuesday, Adeniyi said the initiative reflected the Service’s commitment to building a corps of certified communication professionals capable of effectively communicating its policies, operations and achievements to the public and key stakeholders.
He noted that the Service’s recent institutional transformation, including its recognition as the best-performing government agency under the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business initiative, was driven by deliberate reforms that require professional and effective communication.
“In a significant move to strengthen strategic communication and professionalise its public relations workforce, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations has inducted 70 public relations officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, marking the Service’s first mass induction into the Institute since 2013,” the statement read.
Adeniyi said the ongoing transition to a technology-driven customs administration would place the Service under greater public scrutiny, making the role of communication professionals increasingly important.
“As the Service transitions to a technology-driven customs administration, public relations practitioners must remain proactive in countering misinformation, managing public perception and sustaining stakeholders’ confidence.
Rumours will be heard, narratives will be pushed, so be ready to use your communication with clarity and the necessary measures so rumours can be addressed swiftly and decisively,” the Comptroller-General said.
He also disclosed that the Service’s flagship corporate social responsibility initiative, Customs Cares, is expected to receive international recognition at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games, describing it as a legacy project whose impact should continue to be amplified through ethical and strategic communication.
“The Service’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, Customs Cares, is set to receive recognition at the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.
It is a legacy project whose impact must continue to be amplified through strategic, ethical and professional communication,” he added.
Speaking at the event, the President and Chairman of Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Ike Neliaku, commended the Customs Service for prioritising professionalism and investing in the development of certified communication practitioners.
Neliaku said the agency had undergone a remarkable transformation under Adeniyi’s leadership, evolving into an institution recognised for its reforms, corporate governance and growing international reputation.
“You can no longer dismiss matters concerning the Service. You must be proud of this as a Nigerian,” he said.
A retired Comptroller of Customs and former National Public Relations Officer, Joseph Attah, urged the newly inducted officers to uphold the ethics of the public relations profession by ensuring accuracy, truthfulness and responsibility in all official communication.
He encouraged them to pursue continuous professional development through seminars, workshops and active participation in NIPR activities, noting that effective crisis communication requires composure, empathy and strategic thinking.
Earlier, the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Aliyu Maiwada, said the milestone reflected the Comptroller-General’s commitment to institutional reforms and acknowledged the contributions of former Customs spokespersons who helped establish the Public Relations Unit.
Maiwada said the induction represented another important step in the Service’s wider reform agenda, reinforcing its determination to institutionalise professionalism in strategic communication while strengthening stakeholder engagement and public trust.
The induction comes as the Nigeria Customs Service continues to modernise its operations through digital reforms, improved corporate governance and enhanced public engagement.
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By investing in certified communication professionals, the agency aims to improve transparency, respond more effectively to misinformation and strengthen public confidence in its evolving role within Nigeria’s trade and border management system.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
