The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) have moved to strengthen collaboration in media, digital communication and professional development.
The partnership was discussed on Monday, August 31, 2026, when executive members of ACSPN visited the NCS National Headquarters in Abuja.
Receiving the delegation on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, said effective communication remains critical to the success of institutional reforms.
He said the Service has continued to deploy its monthly newsletter, social media platforms and data analytics to communicate its activities and reforms to stakeholders and the public.
“In every reform, communication must be embedded to achieve the desired result,” Maiwada said.
The Customs spokesperson also highlighted the Service’s growing engagement with Nigeria’s creative industry through its movie projects, including the one-off production, Beyond the Badge, and the 79-episode series, Novera.
According to him, the productions have begun generating revenue for the Service while also creating employment opportunities within the entertainment industry.
Maiwada further disclosed plans to expand the Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network (NCBN) to Lagos. He also announced the Service’s intention to pursue corporate membership of ACSPN and encourage its Public Relations officers to join the association.
Earlier, ACSPN President, Professor Rotimi Williams Olatunji, commended Maiwada for his support and contributions to the association, describing him as an ambassador of the body.
Olatunji welcomed the proposed institutional partnership and pledged ACSPN’s support for Customs personnel seeking higher academic and professional qualifications.
He said communication professionals often bring valuable perspectives to organisational leadership because of their understanding of public needs and sensitivities.
The visit also featured a joint press briefing during which ACSPN announced its 2026 National Conference themed, “Media, Technology and Elections in Africa: Navigating Digital Disruptions and Dynamics of Communication.”
The conference will examine the growing influence of artificial intelligence, social media and digital platforms on political communication ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Olatunji called for stronger collaboration between communication scholars and media practitioners to promote fact-based public discourse and combat misinformation, disinformation and AI-manipulated content, including deepfakes.
He also urged media organisations to institutionalise fact-checking as part of efforts to help citizens navigate the growing complexities of electoral communication in the digital age.
The ACSPN delegation later toured key facilities at the Customs headquarters, including the ICT/Modernisation Department and the NCBN studios, where members were briefed on the Service’s digital operations and evolving media strategy.
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