Customs PR conference equips students with real-world edge experience through strategic mentorship

By Vivian Okejeme

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has reaffirmed resolve to strengthen communication and bridge the gap between academic theory and professional practice.

NSC sees to this move through a Public Relations Conference that brought together a joint panel of academics, communications experts, and students.

The session, which served as the centrepiece of the second day of the conference, brought together students and scholars from Rivers State University, University of Port Harcourt, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt and Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Port Harcourt.

The conference was joined by Chief Superintendent of Customs, Luqman Abdullahi-Lagos and Assistant Superintendent of Customs I, Folusho Adeogun and moderated by Amina Yuguda, Head of Station, Nigeria Customs Service Broadcasting Network.

The panel provided practical career guidance. It advocated the use of simulation exercises and role-play to prepare emerging public relations practitioners for modern communication challenges.

Addressing the audience, National Public Relations Officer and Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada emphasised that effective public relations must prioritise continuous mentorship to build leaders capable of sustaining institutional trust.

He encouraged younger officers and students to cultivate character, competence, clarity, consistency, and cost-consciousness as foundational pillars for career progression and education.

“Effective public relations must extend beyond information dissemination to mentoring future leaders built on character, competence, and clarity.” DC Maiwada stated

The conference also featured practical masterclasses where senior officers used ongoing Customs reforms as real-world learning tools. Assistant Superintendent of Customs I (ASCI) Usman Idris detailed how strategic stakeholder engagement and media campaigns drove the rollout of the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System.

Similarly, ASCI Joseph Adejoh highlighted transparency and early engagement strategies drawn from the implementation of the Advanced Ruling System and the One-Stop Shop.

Rounding out the technical sessions, the NCS Headquarters Social Media Team mentored participants on digital communication tools, audience analytics, and proactive online reputation management.

Organisers noted that the mentorship-driven event reinforces the Service’s broader strategy to build a modern, adaptable, and forward-looking PR workforce equipped to strengthen public confidence and support ongoing institutional reforms.