Nigeria Customs, Stakeholders Champion Strategic Communication for Food Security at NPRW 2026
The Nigeria Customs Service has reaffirmed the critical role of effective communication in addressing Nigeria’s food security challenges, as it joined key stakeholders at the 2026 Nigerian Public Relations Week 2026 in Kaduna.
The week-long event, themed “Policy Making to Public Plate”, commenced on 19 April 2026 at the Brigadier General Abba Kyari Banquet Hall and drew a broad spectrum of participants, including policymakers, communication professionals, media practitioners, and public relations experts.
Among the high-profile dignitaries in attendance were Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, and the Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sanni.
The Nigeria Customs Service recorded a strong presence at the conference, with more than 29 Public Relations Officers participating.
Their involvement underscored the agency’s commitment to strengthening institutional communication frameworks, deepening stakeholder engagement, and promoting professionalism within the public relations discipline.
A major highlight of the event was a high-level panel session that examined the role of strategic communication in tackling food inflation and enhancing public understanding of government interventions on food security.
Speaking during the session, the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, emphasised the indispensable role of communication in both policy formulation and implementation.
“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 stressed that transparent and effective communication is vital for building public trust, shaping perceptions, and ensuring that policy measures – particularly those addressing complex issues such as food inflation and supply chain disruptions – are both understood and supported by citizens.
Other panellists, including Pan-African Parliament Ambassador for Food Security, Bryiyne Chitsunge, and communication expert Agnes Bassey, identified climate change and insecurity as major contributors to rising food costs.
They noted that inadequate communication around these factors often leads to public misunderstanding and the spread of misinformation. The discussion also underscored the importance of accurate, data-driven, and solution-oriented media reporting.
Participants called for stronger collaboration between government institutions and the media to foster balanced narratives that support national development and food security initiatives.
As part of activities marking the event, Maiwada hosted a dinner for Public Relations Officers at the B.A. Adeniyi Officers’ Mess, providing a platform for informal interaction and strengthening professional bonds outside formal sessions.
The gathering was attended by the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Zone B Headquarters, Nsika Umoh, and the Comptroller of the Kaduna Customs Area Command, Sa’ad Hassan, alongside other officers.
In her remarks, Umoh commended the unity and camaraderie among officers within the Public Relations Unit, describing the atmosphere as both inspiring and reflective of a strong, family-oriented professional culture.
The engagements at NPRW 2026 further reinforced the growing consensus that strategic communication remains a cornerstone in addressing Nigeria’s food security challenges and advancing effective policy implementation across sectors.
