The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has strengthened its partnership with the media to promote stakeholder awareness, public trust, and national development.
The partnership was renewed during a media parley held on Monday at the Kano/Jigawa Area Command Headquarters, Abdullahi Dikko Inde Conference Hall, Bompai, Kano.
The event, organised by the National Public Relations Unit and themed “Building Synergy Between the Media and Customs for Enhanced Stakeholders’ Awareness and National Development,” brought together senior Customs officers, journalists, and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) from Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, and Katsina States.
Speaking at the parley, the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, DC Abdullahi Maiwada, described the media as a critical partner in nation-building and public enlightenment.
“The media serves as a vital bridge through which government policies, Customs procedures, trade regulations, and enforcement activities are communicated to stakeholders and the general public,” DC Maiwada said.
He disclosed that under the leadership of the Comptroller‑General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the Service has intensified reforms in trade modernisation, digital transformation, intelligence‑driven enforcement, stakeholder engagement, and institutional transparency.
Maiwada explained that the reforms aim to build a more responsive, accountable, technology‑driven and people‑oriented Customs administration capable of supporting national economic growth.
The spokesperson also urged journalists to sustain professionalism, fairness and responsible reportage, noting that accurate and timely media coverage is essential as Customs operations evolve.
“We value this relationship and will continue to work closely with journalists to ensure accurate and balanced reporting of Customs activities.”
He further stressed the need to combat misinformation through stronger collaboration with credible media organisations and multilingual communication strategies.
In a goodwill message, the Acting Customs Area Controller of the Kano/Jigawa Area Command, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Usman Adamu, described the engagement as timely and essential for strengthening institutional communication and public trust.
“The partnership between Customs and the media remains indispensable in achieving effective revenue generation, trade facilitation, and border security objectives,” DC Adamu stated.
In his remarks, the Vice Chairman of the Kano State Council of the NUJ, Mustapha Muhammad, commended the NCS for organising the engagement and described the media and Customs as “two sides of the same coin.”
Muhammad reiterated journalists’ commitment to professionalism, ethical journalism, and responsible reporting, and praised the Kano/Jigawa Command for maintaining cordial relations with media practitioners.
The parley featured an interactive session during which journalists engaged Customs officials on operational procedures, trade facilitation processes, enforcement activities, and stakeholder concerns.
Participants emphasised the importance of sustained dialogue, trust, and professionalism in fostering a productive partnership between the media and the Service.
