The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its partnership with the media as part of efforts to enhance public trust, improve communication on its reforms and ensure accurate reporting of its trade facilitation, border security, anti-smuggling and economic development activities.
The commitment was made on Tuesday during a strategic media parley held ahead of the 2026 Nigeria Customs Service Public Relations Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The event was declared open by the Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘C’, Acting Assistant Comptroller-General Pascal Chibuoke, who represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.
Addressing participants from the South-East and South-South zones, Chibuoke urged attendees to maximise the conference sessions and continue projecting the positive image of the Service through effective communication and greater public understanding of its statutory responsibilities.
The National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, described journalists as critical partners in nation-building, noting that the success of the Nigeria Customs Service’s ongoing reforms depends on public understanding and confidence fostered through effective communication.
Also speaking, the Customs Area Controller of Port Harcourt Area I Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku, described the conference theme, “Realigning Corporate Communication as a Strategic Driver of Institutional Effectiveness and Public Trust,” as timely, while commending the Comptroller-General for promoting a communication culture that has strengthened public engagement.
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Chief Superintendent of Customs Emmanuel Tangwa, said the choice of Port Harcourt as the host city underscored the South-South region’s strategic importance to Nigeria’s economy. He noted that the engagement would provide an avenue to showcase the Service’s achievements, clarify its policies and address public misconceptions.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, Paul Bazia, praised the Customs Service for sustaining an open relationship with the media, stressing that transparency remains essential to building public confidence. He pledged the support of journalists in the state to ensure accurate, timely and responsible dissemination of information.