The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Wednesday, hosted 400-level students of Mass Communication and Media Studies from Bingham University, Abuja.
The Service‘s National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, welcomed the students on an academic excursion led by a Senior Lecturer and Communication Strategist, Sebastian Abu, at the NCS Headquarters in Maitama.
The excursion aimed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical realities in the field of public relations, particularly within security institutions.
While welcoming the students to the PR Unit, AC Maiwada emphasised the importance of strategic communication in shaping public trust, protecting national security, and facilitating economic stability.
He noted that modern public relations practice in the security sector demands more than media relations, stressing the importance of continuous learning, digital engagement, and crisis communication.
“Public relations within the Nigeria Customs Service goes far beyond what many perceive. Our duties include managing crisis communication, engaging stakeholders, protecting institutional integrity, and ensuring that information flow supports national objectives,” Maiwada stated.
He highlighted the importance of humility and openness in communication, urging the students to remain teachable as they transition into the professional world.
The spokesperson described communication as a dynamic profession that evolves with technology and global realities.
Earlier in his remarks, Abu commended the Customs PR team, led by AC Maiwada, for maintaining professionalism in public engagement, describing the visit as “a strategic knowledge exchange between gown and town.”
“This is not just a field trip. It is a deliberate effort to expose our students to real-world challenges and how they are managed by professionals. The Nigeria Customs Service has set a model of communication practice that should be emulated across government institutions,” he said.
Some of the students shared their career aspirations and expressed gratitude to the NCS for the experience, acknowledging that the engagement was inspiring and timely.
The visit afforded the students the opportunity to tour the PR Unit, interact with officers managing content production, and explore digital tools used to promote the image of the Service.
They also viewed in-house documentary productions and observed media strategies used to address crisis situations.
