Customs spotlights excellence, honours CGC Adeniyi, outstanding PR officers at PH/City conference 

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, excellence and strategic communication by honouring the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, alongside outstanding Public Relations Officers(PRO) and support personnel at the grand finale of the 2026 Nigeria Customs Service Public Relations Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The colourful Award Dinner Night, held on Thursday, brought together senior Customs officers, communication experts, media executives, development partners and other stakeholders to celebrate exceptional performance, recognise innovation and encourage a culture of excellence within the Service.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, in recognition of his remarkable contributions to public relations, strategic communication, institutional reforms and the modernisation of the Nigeria Customs Service.

The award also acknowledged his commitment to repositioning the Service through transparency, stakeholder engagement, digital transformation and capacity building, initiatives that have significantly enhanced Customs’ public image and operational efficiency.

Speaking during the ceremony, the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, said the awards were instituted to recognise officers whose dedication, professionalism and innovative contributions have strengthened the institution.

According to him, celebrating excellence motivates officers to sustain high standards while inspiring others to strive for greater accomplishments.

“Recognising excellence is one of the most effective ways of motivating officers to do more. Tonight, we celebrate commitment, hard work and the values that continue to strengthen the image and reputation of the Nigeria Customs Service,” Maiwada said.

He noted that the recognition aligns with the Comptroller-General’s vision of building a performance-driven Customs administration where hard work, innovation and professionalism are rewarded.

Also speaking, the President and Chairman of Council of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku, commended the Customs leadership for institutionalising professionalism and continuous capacity development within its Public Relations Unit.

He described strategic communication as a vital component of institutional success, saying organisations that recognise excellence create an environment that encourages innovation and public confidence.

“When excellence is recognised, it inspires others to strive for higher standards. The Nigeria Customs Service has demonstrated that strategic communication remains central to institutional success and public confidence,” Neliaku stated.

The President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Yahaya, also praised the initiative, describing it as a worthy investment in human capital.

He urged the recipients to remain committed to ethical conduct, transparency and professionalism in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The ceremony also recognised several officers for their outstanding contributions to the development of the Nigeria Customs Service Public Relations Unit.

The Distinguished Service Award in Public Relations was presented to Superintendent of Customs Elizabeth Anawanti and Superintendent of Customs Umar Abdullahi for their exemplary service and commitment to effective public communication.

Similarly, Chief Superintendent of Customs Nuruddeen Sa’idu and Yusuf received the Outstanding Contribution to the Development of the Nigeria Customs Service Public Relations Unit Award for their significant roles in advancing the Unit’s growth and operational effectiveness.

One of the evening’s most coveted honours, the Alex Akiyenyele Award for Outstanding Public Relations Officer of the Year, was presented to Chief Superintendent of Customs Lukman Abdullahi-Lagos, in recognition of his exceptional performance and dedication to promoting the image and reputation of the Service.

The awards also extended to support personnel, with Abdulkarim Zurmi and Lucy Nyambi emerging as the Best Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network (NCBN) Staff Attached to the Public Relations Unit, while deserving officers were recognised in the Best Dressed Male and Female Officers categories.

The ceremony brought the four-day Public Relations Conference to a fitting close, reinforcing the Service’s resolve to build a culture where professionalism, innovation and excellence are recognised as essential drivers of institutional growth.

Throughout the conference, participants examined the evolving role of strategic communication in enhancing public trust, promoting trade facilitation, supporting Customs reforms and strengthening stakeholder engagement.

Stakeholders noted that the recognition of outstanding officers reflects the broader reform agenda of the Comptroller-General, which places premium not only on revenue generation, border security and trade facilitation but also on effective communication, transparency and accountability as indispensable pillars of a modern Customs administration.

The conference concluded with renewed optimism that continued investment in human capital, strategic communication and institutional excellence would further position the Nigeria Customs Service among Africa’s leading Customs administrations while deepening public confidence in its ongoing transformation agenda.