The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) have expressed readiness to deepen collaboration in media, digital communication and professional development.
The commitment was made on Monday when the 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 NCS National Public Relations Officer and spokesperson, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, said strategic communication remained critical to the success of institutional reforms.
Maiwada said the service had strengthened its communication efforts through its monthly newsletter, social media platforms and the use of data analytics to improve engagement with stakeholders.
He said: “In every reform, communication must be embedded to achieve the desired result.”
The Customs spokesman also disclosed that the service had expanded its engagement with Nigeria’s creative industry through productions such as Beyond the Badge and the 79-episode movie series, Novera, which he said had generated revenue and employment opportunities.
He further disclosed that the service was planning to expand the Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network (NCBN) to Lagos as part of efforts to broaden its communication reach.
Maiwada said the NCS was also willing to pursue corporate membership of ACSPN and encourage its public relations officers to join the association for professional development and knowledge sharing.
Responding, the President of ACSPN, Prof. Rotimi Williams Olatunji, commended the Customs Service for its communication initiatives and expressed the association’s readiness to support the service in strengthening its media and communication capacity.
Olatunji said ACSPN was also prepared to assist Customs personnel interested in pursuing higher academic and professional qualifications.
He said: “When communication scholars are given the opportunity to lead organisations, they excel because they remain conscious of public needs, sensibilities, and sensitivities.”
The ACSPN president called for stronger collaboration between communication scholars and media practitioners, particularly in tackling misinformation, disinformation and AI-manipulated content.
He advocated fact-based public discourse and the institutionalisation of fact-checking mechanisms to address the growing challenge of false and manipulated information.
The two organisations also announced the 2026 ACSPN National Conference, themed, “Media, Technology and Elections in Africa: Navigating Digital Disruptions and Dynamics of Communication.”
The conference is expected to bring together communication scholars, media professionals and other stakeholders to examine the changing media environment and the impact of technology and artificial intelligence on elections and democratic communication.
