Skip to main content

Customs Highlights B’Odogwu, Strategic Communication Reforms at ACSPN Conference

By Anne Ejuka


The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has highlighted the strategic role of communication in advancing institutional reforms, trade facilitation, revenue generation and stakeholder engagement, with particular emphasis on its B’Odogwu digital modernisation platform.


The National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, stated this on Wednesday, 2  September 2026, while representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the 13th Annual Conference of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) held at the National Open University of Nigeria, Abuja.


Maiwada stressed that communication was indispensable to the effective implementation of the Service’s mandate, noting that technological and institutional reforms could only achieve their intended objectives when properly communicated to stakeholders. “Our critical role in trade facilitation, revenue generation and anti-smuggling cannot be effective without effective communication,” he said. He explained that the NCS had continued to deploy technology and innovative approaches to improve its operations, citing B’Odogwu as a major component of the Service’s digital transformation agenda and an innovative trade model attracting attention beyond Nigeria.



The Customs spokesman also highlighted the Service’s “Town and Gown” initiative, designed to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and professional practice in communication. He noted that the initiative had already commenced at Bayero University, Kano, and in Port Harcourt, with plans to deepen the integration of academia into Customs engagements in 2027.


According to him, stronger collaboration with communication scholars and professionals would enable the Service to benefit from contemporary research, professional expertise and emerging communication technologies, while providing academic institutions with practical insights into Customs operations and institutional communication.



The conference, which brought together communication scholars, professionals and institutional stakeholders, also examined the changing communication environment and the implications of emerging technologies for democracy and electoral processes ahead of the 2027 general elections. 


In his opening remarks, the ACSPN President, Professor Rotimi Olatunji, emphasised the importance of informed citizens, credible media and transparent institutions to the sustenance of constitutional democracy, while a keynote presentation delivered on behalf of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Sani Adam, drew attention to emerging threats, including deepfakes, AI-generated content and candidate impersonation. 



The NCS participation followed an earlier engagement on Monday, August 31, 2026, when the Service hosted the leadership of ACSPN at its National Headquarters in Abuja to explore collaboration in digital communication, media engagement, professional development, and stronger ties between academia and the Customs Service. Building on this momentum, the conference featured technical sessions on electoral communication and digital-age challenges, ultimately culminating in a dinner and award ceremony that recognized distinguished contributions to communication scholarship and professional practice.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

NAGAFF Petitions IGP Over Alleged Extortion, Harassment by Maritime Police at Lagos Ports

By Anne Ejuka
The 100% Compliance Team of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) over alleged unlawful conduct, extortion, intimidation, harassment and obstruction of trade by officers of the Maritime Police Command operating around Nigerian seaports. The petition, dated August 14, 2026 and addressed to the Inspector-General of Police at Force Headquarters, Abuja, specifically identified the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa; Tin-Can Island Port and other designated port locations, including bonded terminals, as areas where the alleged misconduct is taking place. In the petition, which was signed by Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, the National Coordinator of 100% Compliance Team, NAGAFF described the situation as a growing impediment to trade facilitation and a factor contributing to the rising cost of doing business in Nigeria. According to the association, freight forwarding practitioners have, over a sustained period, repo...
Post a Comment
Read more

NCS Medical Team Trains Apapa Area Command Officers On First Aid

By Anne Ejuka
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) medical team yesterday trained officers and men of the Apapa Area Command on basic first aid training. ‎ ‎The Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba according to a press release issued by the public relations officer of the command, Superintendent of Customs SC JT Ayagbalo described the initiative as a crucial investment in workplace safety and operational readiness. ‎ ‎In his welcome address, Comptroller Oshoba emphasized that the programme reflects the priority placed on staff welfare by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR. ‎ ‎He described first aid knowledge as a universal life skill that every adult should possess, especially officers as they are frequently exposed to high-risk operational environments. ‎ ‎ Oshoba noted that simple but timely interventions such as; CPR, bleeding control, choking relief and stroke recognition often determine whether a victim survives, fully recov...
Post a Comment
Read more

Lekki Port Manager Thrilled As AMJON Awards Him Most Resourceful Port Manager ‎

By Anne Ejuka
‎"I want to thank the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority and his management team for giving me the opportunity to serve. Working in the kind of environment where I found myself requires great teamwork and as you can see around me now, I have my very efficient team always with me and so I am very proud to have this team. I also give glory to God for everything including the recognition that I got today" ‎ ‎Above are some of the emotions that pervaded the atmosphere as the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) held its 2026 Conference and Awards with the theme: Attaining Ports Efficiency In The Face Of Emerging Technology". ‎ ‎The Conference and Awards took place on Thursday, April 30th 2026 at the Rockview hotels, Apapa with big industry players in attendance. The occasion which was chaired by the cerebral Barr. Jean Chiazor-Anishere delved succinctly into what are required to make the Nigerian Ports more efficient. ‎ ‎In her opening ...
Post a Comment
Read more