The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), alongside key stakeholders, has intensified discussions on food security, policy communication, and stakeholder engagement at the 2026 Nigerian Public Relations Week (NPRW) in Kaduna.
The event, themed “Policy Making to Public Plate,” began on April 19, 2026, at the Brigadier General Abba Kyari Banquet Hall, Kaduna.
It attracted top government officials, including Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima and Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sanni, as well as communication professionals, policymakers, and media practitioners from across the country.
The NCS recorded a strong presence at the week-long event, with over 29 Public Relations Officers participating an indication of the Service’s commitment to strengthening institutional communication and enhancing stakeholder engagement.
A major highlight of the conference was a high-level panel session that examined the role of strategic communication in addressing food inflation and improving public understanding of government interventions.
Speaking at the session, the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, emphasised the importance of communication in policy execution.
“Even at the implementation stage of any policy, communication is critical,” he said. “Without clearly communicating these policies to the public, they may not achieve the desired impact. When people understand how policies affect them, they are more likely to align with them.”
Maiwada noted that effective communication is essential for building trust, shaping public perception, and ensuring widespread support for policies, especially those addressing complex issues such as food inflation and supply chain disruptions.
Other panellists, including Pan-African Parliament Ambassador for Food Security, Ambassador Bryiyne Chitsunge, and communication expert Agnes Bassey, identified climate change and insecurity as key drivers of rising food costs.
They stressed that poor communication around these challenges often fuels misinformation and public distrust.
The session further underscored the need for accurate, data-driven, and solution-oriented media reporting, while calling for stronger collaboration between government institutions and the media to promote balanced narratives on food security and national development.
As part of activities marking the event, the National Public Relations Officer hosted a dinner for Public Relations Officers at the B.A. Adeniyi Officers’ Mess in Kaduna.
The gathering provided an opportunity for officers to relax and strengthen professional bonds outside the formal conference setting.
The dinner was attended by the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Zone B Headquarters, Nsika Umoh, and the Comptroller of Kaduna Customs Area Command, Sa’ad Hassan, alongside other officers at the conference.
In her remarks, Umoh commended the unity and camaraderie among officers in the Public Relations Unit, describing the atmosphere as both inspiring and family-oriented.
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