Customs PR Unit Hosts Maiden Media Parley with Maritime Journalists in Lagos
Nifemi Coker
The Public Relations Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service has hosted its maiden media parley with maritime journalists in Lagos.
The meeting, which held on Friday, 19 December 2025, at the Conference Hall of the Customs Training College, Ikeja, brought together journalists across print, television and online media platforms in a strategic dialogue with the Public Relations Unit of the Service, aimed at strengthening collaboration and enhancing efficiency in the sector’s reporting.
The convener of the parley and National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, noted that the meeting was a strategic engagement towards enhanced service delivery.
“Thank you all for coming to this media parley. I want to apologise for coming a little behind schedule. However, the most important thing is that we have met and we are still discussing,” he said.
One concern which echoed through the contributions of many participants was the need for the Service to embed capacity-building initiatives, provide training opportunities and support professionals with work tools to enable journalists to carry out their duties more efficiently.
In his remarks, the National PRO noted that the Service has indeed undergone several organizational restructuring, and journalists would require training to keep abreast of emerging trends.
As such, he noted that the Service would include training for journalists in its 2026 action plan.
“If you are going to inform members of the public, there are certain reorganisations in the Service that I think journalists need to be informed about.
“This was the same issue raised by journalists in Abuja when we held a similar parley there. It is good to train journalists so that they understand the technicalities that have occurred. I believe training is not about location but more about quality.
“So, in our 2026 strategic plan, we will ensure that this training for journalists is embedded. What I promise you is impactful training,” he said.
In response to concerns about empowerment with work tools, he explained that available resources were lean and that even as a unit, they worked with limited resources at their disposal.
“Even we in the Public Relations Unit cannot say that we have all the tools. We have to utilise the little resources we have to deliver the best we can. Realistically, we will look at what we can do,” he said.
In his welcome address, the Public Relations Officer, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, Chief Superintendent of Customs Akaninyene Ephraim Edeminam, said: “Your presence today underscores the strong and enduring relationship between the Service and the media, built on transparency and a shared responsibility to keep the Nigerian public informed.
“As we approach the end of the year, this gathering offers an opportunity to exchange views for a better new year in 2026.”
Participants at the event include; heads of various maritime beat associations, journalists across all maritime beat associations, and Public Relations Officers from Seme, Tin Can Island, Apapa and Lekki Free Trade Zone Customs Commands, among others.
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