Customs wins global recognition for PR strategy

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has garnered international acclaim for its communication strategy and stakeholder engagement, as highlighted by the Comptroller-General, Adewale Adeniyi, receiving a special Award of Excellence at the 2026 International Public Relations Association Golden World Awards in Athens, Greece. The National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, explained that the accolade was a testament to the NCS's commitment to transparent communication, stakeholder engagement, and ethical public relations.

These efforts were specifically recognized for supporting the implementation and public understanding of the NCS's reforms, including initiatives aimed at modernizing Customs operations, enhancing trade facilitation, and strengthening institutional transparency. Adeniyi expressed pride in the recognition, stating that it would motivate the service to further adopt emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence in public communication and stakeholder engagement.

By 2027, he hoped that the NCS and other Nigerian agencies would be among the global award recipients. Adeniyi emphasized the importance of effective communication in the success of government reforms, noting that citizens and stakeholders must comprehend the objectives, challenges, and benefits of these reforms. The NCS's reform agenda is aligned with President Bola Tinubu's economic policies, focusing on boosting trade competitiveness, facilitating exports, and strengthening Nigeria's involvement in the African Continental Free Trade Area.

The International Public Relations Association's President, Esther Cobbah, noted that the return to Athens was significant as it marked the location where the association established its Code of Conduct for public relations practice 60 years ago. Cobbah highlighted the role of ethical communication in delivering excellence and celebrating the achievements of individuals, agencies, and organizations that applied these principles.

The Grand Prix was awarded to Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR) for its campaign, "AI for Crisis Communication: From Study to Strategy," which aimed to address the challenges of AI-driven misinformation, deepfakes, and digital information disorder.