NCS PR CONFERENCE LINKS CLASSROOM TO BOARDROOM IN PORT HARCOURT

NCS PR CONFERENCE LINKS CLASSROOM TO BOARDROOM IN PORT HARCOURT
By Our Correspondent

The Nigeria Customs Service on Thursday, July 23, 2026, brought together academics, communication professionals and students for a two-day Public Relations Conference aimed at repositioning how the Service engages the public and prepares future practitioners.

Held in Port Harcourt, the gathering focused on closing the long-standing gap between what is taught in universities and what is required in the field. Organisers described the event as part of a broader reform agenda to build a public relations workforce that is modern, responsive and grounded in institutional values.

The highlight of day two was a joint panel that featured students and lecturers from Rivers State University, University of Port Harcourt, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education and Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic. The session was joined by Chief Superintendent of Customs Luqman Abdullahi-Lagos and Assistant Superintendent of Customs I Folusho Adeogun, and was moderated by Amina Yuguda, Head of Station at the Nigeria Customs Service Broadcasting Network.

Panelists stressed the need for simulation exercises, role-play and case studies to prepare students for real communication challenges. They argued that public relations training must move beyond theory to include practical tools that reflect current media and stakeholder environments.

In his remarks, the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, said public relations must go beyond issuing press statements. He called for continuous mentorship as the foundation for building officers and students who can sustain public trust in institutions. He urged participants to anchor their careers on five pillars: character, competence, clarity, consistency and cost-consciousness.

According to DC Maiwada, the future of public relations in government lies in developing leaders who understand both message and method, and who can communicate reforms in ways that citizens can understand and support.

The conference also featured technical masterclasses led by senior officers who used ongoing Customs reforms as teaching material. Assistant Superintendent of Customs I Usman Idris took participants through the communication strategy behind the B’Odogwu Unified Customs Management System. He explained how targeted stakeholder engagement and media campaigns helped to drive adoption and reduce resistance during the rollout.

Assistant Superintendent of Customs I Joseph Adejoh also shared lessons from the implementation of the Advanced Ruling System and the One-Stop Shop. He spoke on the importance of transparency, early engagement with stakeholders, and proactive messaging in managing expectations during policy changes.

Another major component of the conference was a digital communication clinic facilitated by the NCS Headquarters Social Media Team. Participants were trained on audience analytics, content planning, crisis communication online, and tools for managing the Service’s digital reputation.

Students who attended the session said the interaction gave them direct access to practitioners handling national-level communication. Many noted that the mentorship and exposure would help them transition more easily from school to professional practice.

Officials said the Port Harcourt conference reflects the Service’s commitment to investing in people as part of its modernization drive. The goal, they added, is to produce a new generation of Customs public relations officers who can interpret policy, manage perception, and build confidence in the institution.

With this approach, the Nigeria Customs Service hopes to strengthen public understanding of its operations while ensuring that communication remains a strategic tool for reform and service delivery.