PRO Abdullahi-Lagos, emerging key voice in Nigerian Customs reforms – AMJON

By Ezurike Ugochukwu 

In an era where public institutions are increasingly judged not only by policy outcomes but also by how transparently they communicate, strategic messaging has become a critical tool in shaping trust, confidence and institutional credibility.

This growing importance was brought into focus as the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) honoured the Public Relations Officer of the Lagos Free Trade Zone(LFTZ) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS), Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) Abdullahi-Lagos Abiola, with the “Most Articulate and Strategic Customs Image Maker of the Year 2026” award.

The recognition was presented during AMJON’s 2026 Annual Conference and Awards, where key stakeholders across Nigeria’s maritime and logistics ecosystem gathered to celebrate excellence, innovation and professionalism in the sector.

Beyond being another industry plaque, the award reflects a broader shift in Nigeria’s maritime sector, where agencies such as the NCS are increasingly under pressure to balance enforcement duties with public accountability, trade facilitation and stakeholder engagement.

AMJON noted that Abdullahi-Lagos distinguished himself through consistent, clear and timely communication, particularly in simplifying complex Customs procedures, managing sensitive information, and improving public understanding of reforms within the LFTZ Command.

Industry observers say such roles have become even more crucial as Nigeria pushes port modernisation, trade digitisation, and customs automation reforms aimed at improving ease of doing business.

According to the association, Abdullahi-Lagos has demonstrated unusual skill in bridging communication gaps between Customs, freight forwarders, investors and the wider trading public, while also strengthening institutional reputation management.

Abdullahi -Lagos

A career Customs officer, Abdullahi-Lagos joined the NCS in 2011 as an Assistant Superintendent of Customs I and has since built a profile around public communication and stakeholder relations.

Before his current posting, he served as Command Public Relations Officer in the Oyo/Osun and Kano/Jigawa Area Commands, where he handled media relations and public information management.

A native of Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State, born three decades ago. He studied Industrial Relations and Personnel Management at Lagos State University before obtaining an Executive MBA from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.

He is also a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and has participated in several professional development programmes focused on media strategy, crisis communication and reputation management.

Responding to the recognition, Abdullahi-Lagos described the award as both an honour and a responsibility, pledging to deepen professionalism, transparency and effective stakeholder engagement in support of the Nigeria Customs Service’s mandate.

He dedicated the award to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for his visionary leadership; the Area Controller of the Lagos Free Trade Zone Command, Comptroller Hauwa K.A. Abubakar, for what he described as her motherly support and guidance; and the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, whom he credited for leading by example, setting high professional standards, and redefining strategic communication within the Service.

As Nigeria’s maritime sector undergoes rapid transformation, experts say the ability of agencies to communicate reforms effectively may increasingly determine not just policy acceptance, but institutional legitimacy itself.