Customs Intensifies Media Outreach to Cultivate Stakeholder Trust, Collaboration

By Ramadan AbusiOdumare

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the media as a strategic partner in promoting stakeholder awareness, public trust, and national development.

The call for a deeper partnership was the focus of a media parley held yesterday, at the Kano/Jigawa Area Command Headquarters, Abdullahi Dikko Inde Conference Hall, Bompai, Kano.

The event was organised by the National Public Relations Unit and themed: “Building Synergy Between the Media and Customs for Enhanced Stakeholders’ Awareness and National Development,” brought together senior Customs officers, journalists and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) from Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna and Katsina states.

Speaking at the forum, the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NPRO), Deputy Comptroller of Customs (DC) Abdullahi Maiwada, described the media as a critical partner in nation-building and public enlightenment.

His words: “The media serves as a vital bridge through which government policies, Customs procedures, trade regulations, and enforcement activities are communicated to stakeholders and the general public.”

The image maker said that under the leadership of Comptroller‑General of the Service, Adewale Adeniyi, the NSC has intensified reforms in trade modernisation, digital transformation, intelligence‑driven enforcement, stakeholder engagement, and institutional transparency.

According to him, these reforms aim to build a more responsive, accountable, technology‑driven and people‑oriented Customs administration capable of supporting national economic growth.

He urged journalists to sustain professionalism, fairness and responsible reportage, noting that accurate and timely media coverage is essential as Customs operations evolve.

“We value this relationship and will continue to work closely with journalists to ensure accurate and balanced reporting of Customs activities,” Maiwada added, stressing efforts to counter misinformation through stronger collaboration with credible media organisations and multilingual communication strategies.

In a goodwill message, Acting Customs Area Controller of the Kano/Jigawa Area Command, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Usman Adamu, described the engagement as timely and essential for strengthening institutional communication and public trust.

“The partnership between Customs and the media remains indispensable in achieving effective revenue generation, trade facilitation, and border security objectives,” he said.

Mustapha Muhammad, Vice Chairman of the Kano State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, commended the NCS for organising the engagement and described the media and Customs as “two sides of the same coin.”

Muhammad reaffirmed journalists’ commitment to professionalism, ethical journalism and responsible reporting, and praised the Kano/Jigawa Area Command for maintaining cordial relations with media practitioners.

During the interactive session, journalists at the forum engaged Customs officials on operational procedures, trade facilitation processes, enforcement activities, and stakeholder concerns.

Participants emphasised the importance of sustained dialogue, trust and professionalism in fostering a productive partnership between the media and the NCS.