Nigeria Customs seeks stronger media synergy on trade, public awareness, border operations

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Nigeria Customs Service has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the media as part of efforts to enhance stakeholder awareness, build public trust, and support national development objectives.

The Service made the commitment during a media parley organised by its National Public Relations Unit at the Kano/Jigawa Area Command Headquarters, Abdullahi Dikko Inde Conference Hall, Bompai, Kano.

The engagement, themed “Building Synergy Between the Media and Customs for Enhanced Stakeholders’ Awareness and National Development,” brought together senior Customs officers, journalists, and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists from Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, and Katsina states.

Speaking at the event, National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, described the media as a critical partner in nation-building and public enlightenment.

According to him, the media plays a vital role in communicating government policies, Customs procedures, trade regulations, and enforcement activities to stakeholders and the general public.

Maiwada

Maiwada stated that under the leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the Service has intensified reforms in trade modernisation, digital transformation, intelligence-driven enforcement, stakeholder engagement, and institutional transparency.

He explained that the reforms were aimed at building a responsive, accountable, technology-driven, and people-oriented Customs administration capable of supporting economic growth and trade facilitation.

“The media serves as a vital bridge through which government policies, Customs procedures, trade regulations, and enforcement activities are communicated to stakeholders and the general public,” Maiwada said.

He urged journalists to maintain professionalism, fairness, and responsible reportage, stressing that accurate and balanced reporting remained essential as Customs operations continue to evolve.

According to him, the Service would continue to work closely with credible media organisations to counter misinformation and improve public understanding of Customs operations through effective communication strategies, including multilingual public engagement.

In his remarks, Acting Customs Area Controller of Kano/Jigawa Area Command, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Usman Adamu, described the parley as timely and important for strengthening institutional communication and public confidence.

He noted that the partnership between Customs and the media remained indispensable in achieving the Service’s mandates of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and border security.

Vice Chairman of the Kano State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mustapha Muhammad, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for organising the engagement, describing the relationship between the media and Customs as mutually beneficial.

He reaffirmed the commitment of journalists to ethical journalism, professionalism, and responsible reporting while applauding the Kano/Jigawa Area Command for maintaining cordial relations with media practitioners.

The event also featured an interactive session where journalists engaged Customs officials on operational procedures, trade facilitation processes, enforcement activities, and stakeholder concerns.

Participants stressed the need for sustained dialogue, trust, and professionalism in fostering a productive partnership capable of enhancing public awareness and supporting national development goals.