The Nigeria Customs Service has stepped up efforts to improve relations with journalists and media organizations to boost public engagement, transparency, and awareness of its work. A high-level media meeting at the Kano/Jigawa Area Command brought senior Customs officials and reporters together to discuss how communication supports national development, border security, and trade facilitation.
Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, the Service’s National Public Relations Officer, called the media crucial to shaping public understanding of government policy and Customs activities. He said Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi’s reform agenda is modernizing Customs through digital systems, greater transparency, and intelligence-led enforcement. Maiwada added that strategic communication is being used to counter misinformation and build trust among importers, exporters, border communities, and other stakeholders.
He urged journalists to maintain professionalism, fairness and balanced reporting as Customs implements reforms intended to spur economic growth and simplify trade. The session included discussions on trade regulations, border operations, enforcement procedures and stakeholder concerns, with journalists asking for clarifications on new policies and operational issues.
Acting Area Controller Usman Adamu described the meeting as timely and helpful for strengthening institutional communication. The Nigeria Union of Journalists representatives praised Customs’ open dialogue, calling the partnership important for national development and accountability. Participants stressed the need for ongoing engagement, mutual trust and responsible information sharing to combat misinformation and public skepticism.
