Juliet Ezeh
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reinforced its commitment to strategic communication and stakeholder engagement as a key tool in addressing food security and food inflation challenges in Nigeria, during discussions at the 2026 Nigerian Public Relations Week (NPRW) held in Kaduna.
The event, themed “Policy Making to Public Plate,” brought together policymakers, communication experts, media professionals, and government stakeholders to examine how effective communication can shape public understanding of food security policies and government interventions.
The programme, which commenced on April 19, 2026, at the Brigadier General Abba Kyari Banquet Hall, Kaduna, was attended by top government officials, including Vice President Kashim Shettima and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, alongside representatives from various public institutions and professional bodies.
The Nigeria Customs Service recorded a strong institutional presence at the event, with over 29 Public Relations Officers in attendance, reflecting the agency’s growing emphasis on communication-driven governance, transparency, and stakeholder engagement in customs administration.
A key highlight of the conference was a panel session focused on the role of strategic communication in addressing food inflation and strengthening public trust in government policies affecting food supply chains.
Speaking during the session, the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, emphasized that communication remains a critical component in policy implementation, particularly in sectors such as trade facilitation and border management.
He explained that even well-designed policies may fail to achieve their intended impact if they are not properly communicated to the public.
According to him, effective communication helps bridge the gap between government policy and public understanding, ensuring that citizens are better informed and more likely to support and comply with regulatory measures.
“Even at the implementation stage of any policy, communication is critical,” Maiwada stated. “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.”
He further noted that clear, consistent, and transparent communication is essential in building public trust, reducing misinformation, and improving cooperation between government agencies and citizens, particularly in addressing complex economic issues such as food inflation.
Other panelists at the event, including Ambassador Bryiyne Chitsunge, Pan-African Parliament Ambassador for Food Security, and communication expert Agnes Bassey, attributed rising food inflation to factors such as climate change, insecurity, and disruptions in supply chains.
They stressed that inadequate communication around these challenges often contributes to misinformation and public misunderstanding, making it harder for governments to implement effective solutions.
The discussions also emphasized the importance of data-driven reporting, solution-oriented journalism, and stronger collaboration between government institutions and the media in shaping accurate narratives around food security and national development.
Beyond the formal sessions, the Nigeria Customs Service also strengthened internal engagement among its Public Relations officers. As part of the event’s activities, the National Public Relations Officer hosted a dinner for PR officers at the B.A. Adeniyi Officers’ Mess in Kaduna.
The informal gathering provided an opportunity for officers to network, build camaraderie, and strengthen professional relationships outside the formal conference environment.
The dinner was attended by senior customs officials, including Assistant Comptroller-General Nsika Umoh, who oversees Zone B Headquarters, and Comptroller Sa’ad Hassan of the Kaduna Area Command.
In her remarks, ACG Umoh commended the unity and professionalism displayed within the Customs Public Relations Unit, describing the atmosphere as collaborative and inspiring, and noting that such engagements strengthen institutional cohesion and operational efficiency.
The Nigeria Customs Service reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging strategic communication as part of its broader reform agenda, particularly in enhancing public understanding of its role in trade facilitation, border management, and national economic stability.
As conversations at NPRW 2026 continue, stakeholders are increasingly aligning on the need for stronger communication frameworks to support food security policies and improve public trust in government interventions across Nigeria.
