*As NCS NPRO Maiwada Advocates Strategic Communication for Policy Impact.
By Helen Udo, Outlook Media ABUJA.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) once again took centre stage at the ongoing 2025 Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW), holding in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, as the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, was officially installed as the Vice Chair of the Body of Advisers of the Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG).
The NPRW, a flagship initiative of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), commenced on May 19 and will run through May 23, 2025. The edition has convened public relations professionals, policymakers, and key stakeholders to interrogate the intersection between communication and national development.
The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, declared the event open on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, reaffirming the government’s commitment to repositioning strategic communication as a tool for nation-building and investment attraction.
CGC Adeniyi’s appointment as Vice Chair of the NRMG advisory body marks a significant milestone, reinforcing the service’s leadership in the public relations ecosystem. The CGC, who has consistently championed transparency, stakeholder engagement, and institutional trust, expressed confidence in the NRMG’s vision.
“I consider it a privilege to be part of this important national assignment,” CGC Adeniyi said. “I have full trust in the capacity of this group, and I believe that with the calibre of individuals involved, a lot can be achieved in reshaping how Nigeria tells her story to her people and the world.”
He joins other distinguished personalities, including John Momoh, Chairman of Channels Television, who was installed as Chair of the NRMG Body of Advisers. Together, the advisory body is expected to guide the NRMG in its mission to project a coherent, credible, and consistent image of Nigeria across domestic and international fronts.
Adding to the Service’s presence at the high-level gathering, the National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, delivered a paper titled “Advances in Government, Policy and Regulatory Communication.” His presentation underscored the importance of strategic communication, a multi-channel approach, and intentionality in public sector messaging while showcasing how the Nigeria Customs Service is using modern communication tools to foster transparency and trust.
“The changing dynamics of governance and policy implementation require us to speak clearly, truthfully, and strategically. At Customs, we’ve learned that people don’t just want to be informed, they want to be understood and engaged,” Maiwada noted.
As the 2025 NPRW continues in Uyo, the Nigeria Customs Service’s active engagement has once again positioned the agency as a thought leader in institutional communication, national branding, and policy advancement.
