In a bid to strengthen youth engagement and deepen professional development in public relations, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has hosted 400-level students of Mass Communication and Media Studies from Bingham University, Abuja, at its headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
The academic visit, which took place on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, was led by senior lecturer and communication strategist, Sebastian Abu. The excursion was designed to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world practice within security institutions.
Receiving the delegation, the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, emphasized the critical role of strategic communication in securing public trust, enhancing national security, and promoting economic stability.
Maiwada noted that public relations within the Customs Service extends beyond traditional media engagements. He highlighted the importance of crisis management, stakeholder engagement, and digital communication in the day-to-day operations of the NCS, particularly in projecting the agency’s mission and safeguarding institutional integrity.
“Public relations within the Nigeria Customs Service goes far beyond what many perceive,” Maiwada said. “It involves managing crisis communication, engaging stakeholders, protecting institutional integrity, and ensuring that the flow of information aligns with national goals.”
He encouraged the students to remain humble and adaptable, noting that communication as a profession continues to evolve with emerging technologies and global trends.
On his part, Sebastian Abu commended the professionalism and transparency of the Customs PR team, describing the engagement as a “strategic knowledge exchange between gown and town.”
“This is not just a field trip,” Abu said. “It is a deliberate effort to expose our students to real-world challenges and how seasoned professionals address them. The Nigeria Customs Service has become a model for strategic communication in public institutions.”
The visit also included a tour of the PR Unit, where the students interacted with officers managing media content, digital platforms, and internal communications. They had the opportunity to observe documentary productions and gain insight into how the Service deploys communication strategies in crisis situations.
Some of the students, who are preparing to graduate in the coming weeks, expressed gratitude to the Service for the opportunity, describing the engagement as both enlightening and inspiring.
The visit reinforces the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to fostering the next generation of communication professionals and highlights the value of collaboration between academic institutions and government agencies in national development.