The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reinforced its commitment to developing the next generation of public relations professionals by bringing together academics, communication experts and students for an interactive mentorship session at its 2026 Public Relations Conference in Port Harcourt.
The session, held on Thursday, July 23, 2026, as the highlight of the conference’s second day, provided a platform for practical knowledge-sharing aimed at bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world professional practice.
Participants included students and scholars from Rivers State University, the University of Port Harcourt, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, and Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Port Harcourt.
They engaged directly with seasoned communication professionals, including Chief Superintendent of Customs Luqman Abdullahi-Lagos and Assistant Superintendent of Customs I Folusho Adeogun.
The session was moderated by the Head of Station of the Nigeria Customs Service Broadcasting Network, Amina Yuguda.
Discussions focused on preparing aspiring public relations practitioners for the realities of modern communication through mentorship, simulation exercises, and role-playing scenarios designed to enhance problem-solving and strategic communication skills.
Delivering the keynote address, the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, stressed that effective public relations extends beyond disseminating information to intentionally mentoring future leaders capable of sustaining public trust.
He urged students and young officers to build their careers on five core values—character, competence, clarity, consistency, and cost-consciousness describing them as essential ingredients for professional growth and institutional credibility.
“Effective public relations must extend beyond information dissemination to mentoring future leaders built on character, competence, and clarity,” Maiwada said.
The conference also featured practical masterclasses where senior Customs officers showcased ongoing Service reforms as real-life case studies in strategic communication.
Assistant Superintendent of Customs I Usman Idris explained how effective stakeholder engagement and coordinated media campaigns supported the successful implementation of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System.
In another presentation, Assistant Superintendent of Customs I Joseph Adejoh highlighted the communication strategies behind the rollout of the Advanced Ruling System and the One-Stop Shop initiative, emphasising transparency and early stakeholder engagement.
Participants also received hands-on training from the NCS Headquarters Social Media Team on digital communication, audience analytics, content strategy, and proactive online reputation management, equipping them with practical skills required in today’s fast-evolving media landscape.
Organisers said the mentorship-focused initiative reflects the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to building a modern, innovative and future-ready public relations workforce capable of strengthening public confidence, supporting institutional reforms and advancing the Service’s strategic communication objectives.
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