The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced a four-day workshop for journalists in Abuja to enhance understanding of the Service’s ongoing Trade Modernisation Project and broader digital transformation agenda.
The workshop, themed “Enhancing Media Knowledge and Understanding of Customs Modernisation Project,” kicked off on Wednesday and is expected to end on Saturday. It attracted journalists from various media organisations across the country.
Declaring the workshop open on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation, Timi Bomodi, stated that the media remains critical to the success of Customs reforms.
DCG Bomodi noted that the pace of reforms within the Service has made it necessary for stakeholders, especially journalists, to fully understand the purpose, direction, and expected impact of the ongoing transformation.
“A lot is happening within the Service, and sometimes it may be difficult for stakeholders to keep pace with the speed of these developments. That is why engagements like this have become necessary,” he said.
He described the Trade Modernisation Project as one of the most strategic reforms currently being driven by the Service, aimed at eliminating inefficiencies, simplifying trade procedures, and creating a more predictable business environment.
“The Trade Modernisation Project sits at the centre of our transformation journey. Through digital platforms, automation of procedures, and systems integration, we are building a Customs administration that is efficient, transparent, and globally competitive.”
DCG Bomodi explained that reforms of such magnitude cannot succeed without public understanding, stressing that the media remains the bridge between institutions and the people.
“When change happens, stakeholders must understand not just what is changing, but why it is changing. That is where the media becomes indispensable,” he added.
Earlier in his remarks, the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada emphasised that the workshop was deliberately designed to equip journalists with practical knowledge of the modernisation project and the wider reforms taking place within the Service.
“In this era of global trade and technological advancement, it has become necessary to carry critical stakeholders, particularly the media, along in this journey of transformation,” DC Maiwada declared.
He added that beyond infrastructure and technology, the success of Customs modernisation depends largely on accurate public communication and informed reportage.
On his part, the Executive Director of Trade Modernisation Project Limited, Ahmad Ogunsola, urged participants to engage openly throughout the sessions and seek clarity on every aspect of the project.
“Our objective is to answer as many questions as possible and ensure that by the end of this engagement, participants leave with a deeper understanding of the project and its impact on trade facilitation in Nigeria,” Ogunsola remarked.
Members of the Customs Management Team present at the opening ceremony included the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of ICT/Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, and the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Headquarters, Muhammad Shu’aibu.
Resource persons at the technical sessions included Deputy Comptroller Nafi’u Salihu, who delivered a presentation on the Integrated Non-Intrusive Inspection System, Assistant Comptroller Bukola Omoniyi, and other senior officers of the Service.
