Nigeria Customs Says Integrity Reforms Yielding Results, as Adeogun Wins Young Communicator Award

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reiterated its commitment to strengthening integrity, transparency and accountability within the Service, saying sustained institutional reforms and anti-corruption measures are beginning to produce positive results.

The National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the 4th Economic Confidential Lecture and 6th National Spokespersons Awards organised by Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR).

The event, which focused on the theme, “Anti-Corruption Reforms, Economic Stability and Effective Communication,” brought together government officials, anti-corruption practitioners, communication professionals and other stakeholders to examine the impact of corruption on national development and the role of effective communication in promoting accountability.

Maiwada said the NCS leadership had continued to implement measures aimed at reducing opportunities for corrupt practices while encouraging ethical conduct and professionalism among its personnel.

He stressed that integrity was central to the operations of Customs administrations globally, noting that the NCS was aligning its reforms and modernisation programmes with international standards promoted by the World Customs Organisation (WCO).

According to him, the Service had undertaken integrity perception surveys involving both internal and external stakeholders, with the findings helping to shape its reform initiatives, modernisation projects and partnerships with other government institutions.

“The World Customs Organisation is very intentional about the integrity of Customs officers worldwide. Nigeria Customs has conducted integrity perception surveys involving both internal and external stakeholders, and the feedback from those exercises has continued to shape our reforms, our modernisation projects and even our collaboration with other government agencies,” Maiwada said.

He added that the Service had also strengthened its engagement with institutions responsible for promoting ethical standards in public service.

“Recently, the Code of Conduct Bureau visited the Service as part of efforts to strengthen ethical conduct among our officers,” he said.

Maiwada explained that the NCS would continue to embrace measures capable of improving accountability and public confidence, stressing that institutional reform required sustained commitment rather than one-off interventions.

He said the Service’s modernisation drive was also being pursued alongside efforts to strengthen professional standards among officers, adding that transparency and accountability remained essential to building a Customs administration that could effectively support national economic development.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Adamu Aliyu, described corruption as a major global challenge with far-reaching consequences for economies and societies.

Aliyu said corruption was capable of distorting economic systems, deepening inequality and undermining national security.

He cautioned against presenting corruption as a problem peculiar to Nigeria or Africa, noting that countries across the world had continued to grapple with various forms of corrupt practices.

The ICPC chairman cited international cases as evidence that corruption transcended geographical and national boundaries, stressing the need for sustained global efforts to combat the menace.

He emphasised the importance of strengthening institutions, promoting transparency and ensuring that anti-corruption measures were effectively implemented.

The event also witnessed recognition for the Nigeria Customs Service, with Assistant Superintendent of Customs I Folusho Adeogun, Liaison Officer of the Nigeria Customs Broadcasting Network (NCBN), emerging as the Young Communicator of the Year at the 6th National Spokespersons Awards.

The award recognises Adeogun’s contribution to professional communication and his role in projecting the activities of the Nigeria Customs Service through effective public engagement.

Receiving the award, Adeogun dedicated the recognition to the Nigeria Customs Service and pledged to contribute more towards the growth and development of the institution.

He said the award would serve as additional motivation to improve his professional contribution to the Service.

“This award will encourage me to contribute even more to the Service and ensure that I continue to play my role effectively. It has energised me to do more,” Adeogun said.

Maiwada congratulated Adeogun on the recognition, describing the award as a reflection of his commitment, professionalism and hard work.

He said the achievement demonstrated the importance of individual dedication in complementing institutional mentorship and training.

“I am particularly delighted to see one of our young officers receive this recognition. No amount of mentorship can produce results unless the individual is willing to learn and improve himself. Adeogun has demonstrated commitment, professionalism and hard work,” Maiwada said.

He expressed confidence that the recognition would further encourage the young officer to contribute to the communication objectives of the NCS.

The jury chairperson, Professor Saudat Abdulbaqi, said the National Spokespersons Awards had evolved beyond an annual recognition ceremony into a platform for promoting professionalism, effective communication and public trust.

She said the awards were designed to recognise individuals and institutions that had demonstrated excellence in public communication while encouraging higher standards across the profession.

Abdulbaqi noted that effective communication remained critical to strengthening public confidence in government institutions, particularly at a time when citizens demanded greater transparency and accountability.

The event therefore provided an opportunity for stakeholders to examine the relationship between anti-corruption reforms, economic stability and strategic communication, while also recognising communicators whose professional contributions had helped to strengthen public engagement.

For the Nigeria Customs Service, the recognition of Adeogun came against the backdrop of its renewed emphasis on integrity, institutional reform and modernisation, with the Service maintaining that ethical conduct and accountability remain critical to achieving its mandate.