The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its growing influence in national image-building and strategic communication as the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi was officially installed as the Vice Chair of the Body of Advisers for the Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG).
The prestigious appointment took place during the ongoing 2025 Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW), a flagship event of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), which kicked off on May 19 and runs through May 23 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The event has convened communication professionals, government officials, and stakeholders to explore how strategic communication can drive national development.
Speaking at the ceremony, CGC Adeniyi described his appointment as an honour and a call to national duty. “I consider it a privilege to be part of this important national assignment,” he said. “I have full trust in the capacity of this group, and I believe that with the calibre of individuals involved, a lot can be achieved in reshaping how Nigeria tells her story to her people and the world.”
Adeniyi joins other distinguished figures on the advisory body, including veteran broadcaster and Chairman of Channels Television, Mr. John Momoh, who was installed as Chair. Together, the team is expected to steer the NRMG in its mission to build a credible and unified image of Nigeria both locally and internationally.
The opening of the NPRW was declared by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, who reaffirmed the government’s resolve to strengthen strategic communication as a tool for policy promotion, national unity, and economic growth.
Further highlighting the Customs Service’s leadership role at the gathering, the National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, delivered a thought-provoking paper titled “Advances in Government, Policy and Regulatory Communication.”
Maiwada emphasized the need for a deliberate, inclusive, and multi-channel approach to public sector messaging, noting how the NCS has embraced modern communication strategies to enhance transparency and citizen engagement.
“The changing dynamics of governance and policy implementation require us to speak clearly, truthfully, and strategically,” he said. “At Customs, we’ve learned that people don’t just want to be informed, they want to be understood and engaged.”
