By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday, August 31, 2026, hosted executive members of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) at its National Headquarters in Abuja to explore deeper collaboration in media, digital communication, and professional development.
Receiving the delegation on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the National Public Relations Officer and spokesperson for the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, highlighted the strategic role of media in communicating institutional reforms. He cited the Service’s monthly newsletter, social media presence, and data analytics as central to these efforts, remarking that “in every reform, communication must be embedded to achieve the desired result.”
Maiwada also noted the Service’s innovative engagement with the creative industry through its one off movie, ‘Beyond the Badge’ and 79 Episode movie series ‘Novera’ has begun generating revenue for the NCS while creating employment within the entertainment industry. Additionally, he revealed plans to expand the Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network (NCBN) to Lagos, while announcing the Service’s intention to pursue corporate membership with ACSPN and encourage its Public Relations officers to join the association.
Speaking earlier, the President of ACSPN, Professor Rotimi Williams Olatunji, commended Maiwada for his enduring support as an ambassador of the association. He welcomed the proposed institutional partnership and pledged ACSPN’s readiness to support NCS personnel seeking higher academic and professional qualifications.
“When communication scholars are given the opportunity to lead organisations, they excel because they remain conscious of public needs, sensibilities, and sensitivities,” Olatunji stated.
During a joint press briefing at the NCS headquarters auditorium, ACSPN formally announced its 2026 National Conference, themed “Media, Technology and Elections in Africa: Navigating Digital Disruptions and Dynamics of Communication.” The upcoming conference will examine the impact of artificial intelligence, social media, and digital platforms on political communication ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Addressing journalists, Olatunji called for stronger synergy between communication scholars and media practitioners to promote fact-based discourse and combat misinformation, disinformation, and AI-manipulated content such as deepfakes. He urged media organisations to institutionalize fact-checking to help citizens navigate the complexities of electoral communication in the digital age.
The visit concluded with a guided tour of key facilities at the NCS headquarters, including the Information and Communication Technology (ICT)/Modernisation Department and the NCBN studios, where the delegation got briefed on the Service’s digital operations and media strategy.
