Practical experience: Customs Service hosts Bingham University students

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Nigeria Customs Service has demonstrated its commitment to youth engagement and professional development by hosting 400-level students of Mass Communication and Media Studies from Bingham University, Abuja.

The students received by the National Public Relations Officer(PRO) of the Nigerian Customs Service(NCS) Assistant Comptroller of Customs (AC) Abdullahi Maiwada, at the Service’s Headquarters in Maitama on Wednesday 9 July 2025 in an efforts geared towards bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical realities in public relations.

The students, led by Sebastian Abu, a senior lecturer and communication strategist, visited the NCS Headquarters where they interacted with officers managing content production and explored digital tools used to promote the image of the Service.

While welcoming the students to the PR Unit, AC Maiwada highlighted the significance of strategic communication in shaping public trust, protecting national security, and facilitating economic stability.

He noted that modern public relations practice in the security sector demands more than media relations, stressing the importance of continuous learning, digital engagement, and crisis communication.

He said, “Public relations within the Nigeria Customs Service goes far beyond what many perceive. Our duties include managing crisis communication, engaging stakeholders, protecting institutional integrity, and ensuring that information flow supports national objectives.”

AC Maiwada reflected on the importance of humility and openness in communication, urging the students to remain teachable as they transition into the professional world.

He also described communication as a dynamic profession that evolves with technology and global realities.

Earlier in his remarks, Sebastian Abu praised the Customs PR team led by AC Maiwada for maintaining professionalism in public engagement, describing the visit as “a strategic knowledge exchange between gown and town.”

“This is not just a field trip. It is a deliberate effort to expose our students to real-world challenges and how they are managed by professionals. The Nigeria Customs Service has set a model of communication practice that should be emulated across government institutions.” He said.

Some of the students, who are preparing to graduate in the coming weeks, shared their fields of aspirations and expressed appreciation to the Customs Service for the experience, describing the engagement as inspiring and timely.

The visit afforded the students the opportunity to tour the PR Unit, interact with officers managing content production, and explore digital tools used to promote the image of the Service.

They also viewed in-house documentary productions and observed media strategies used to address crisis situations.