The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has honoured outstanding officers and personnel for their exceptional service, professionalism and dedication at the Award Dinner Night held as part of the 2026 Nigeria Customs Service Public Relations Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The ceremony, held on Thursday, July 23, 2026, also saw the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to public relations, strategic communication and institutional reforms within the Service.
The event brought together senior Customs officers, communication professionals, media executives and development partners to celebrate excellence, inspire greater commitment and reinforce a culture of professionalism across the Nigeria Customs Service.
Speaking during the presentation of the awards, the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, said the recognition was aimed at celebrating officers whose commitment, innovation and professionalism have distinguished them in the discharge of their duties.
According to him, recognising excellence remains one of the most effective ways of motivating officers to strive for greater performance.
“Tonight, we celebrate commitment, hard work and the values that continue to strengthen the image and reputation of the Nigeria Customs Service,” Maiwada stated.
President of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ike Neliaku, commended the leadership of the Comptroller-General for institutionalising professionalism and continuous capacity building within the Customs Public Relations Unit.
He noted that recognising excellence motivates others to pursue higher standards, adding that the Nigeria Customs Service has demonstrated that strategic communication remains central to institutional success and public confidence.
Also speaking, President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Yahaya, described the initiative as a worthwhile investment in human capital.
He said organisations that reward professionalism and hard work lay a solid foundation for sustainable growth, urging recipients of the awards to remain committed to ethical conduct, transparency and service to the nation.
Among the major honours presented during the ceremony were the Distinguished Service Award in Public Relations, conferred on Superintendent of Customs Elizabeth Anawanti and Superintendent of Customs Umar Abdullahi.
Chief Superintendent of Customs Nuruddeen Sa’idu and Yusuf were honoured with the Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Development of the Nigeria Customs Service Public Relations Unit, while Chief Superintendent of Customs Lukman Abdullahi-Lagos emerged winner of the Alex Akiyenyele Award as the Outstanding Public Relations Officer of the Year.
The ceremony also featured the presentation of the Best Dressed Male and Female Officers Awards, while Abdulkarim Zurmi and Lucy Nyambi were recognised as the Best NCBN Staff Attached to the Public Relations Unit for their exceptional dedication and support to the unit’s activities.
The awards marked the climax of the 2026 Nigeria Customs Service Public Relations Conference, reinforcing the Service’s commitment to recognising excellence, promoting professionalism and strengthening effective communication as a vital component of institutional success.
