The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reiterated its commitment to youth engagement and professional mentorship as it hosted 400-level students of Mass Communication and Media Studies from Bingham University, Abuja, on an academic excursion to its Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
The visit, led by senior lecturer and communication strategist, Mr. Sebastian Abu, was part of the university’s efforts to expose students to the real-world workings of public relations within national institutions. It provided a hands-on learning experience aimed at bridging the gap between classroom theory and professional practice.
Addressing the students during the engagement, the National Public Relations Officer (NPRO) of the Service, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, emphasized the evolving and strategic nature of public relations, particularly within the security sector.
“Public relations within the Nigeria Customs Service goes far beyond what many perceive,” AC Maiwada stated. “Our duties include managing crisis communication, engaging stakeholders, protecting institutional integrity, and ensuring that information flow supports national objectives.”
He stressed that modern PR is no longer limited to media relations alone, noted the importance of digital communication, stakeholder engagement, and adaptability in times of crisis. Maiwada urged the students to approach the profession with humility, curiosity, and a readiness to keep learning, as communication continues to evolve with technology and global trends.
Earlier in his remarks, Mr. Sebastian Abu praised the NCS Public Relations Unit for its professionalism and commitment to excellence in public communication. He described the visit as a strategic knowledge-sharing engagement between “gown and town,” tailored to deepen students’ understanding of how communication functions in real-time within a major government agency.
“This is not just a field trip,” Abu said. “It is a deliberate effort to expose our students to the practical realities and challenges faced by communication practitioners, and how they apply theoretical knowledge to solve them. The Nigeria Customs Service has proven to be a model in institutional public relations.”
The visiting students, many of whom are preparing for graduation, expressed excitement and appreciation for the experience, which they described as timely and inspiring. They engaged with officers managing media production and digital platforms, observed internal communication strategies, and toured the PR Unit’s facilities.
They also watched in-house documentary productions and were introduced to crisis communication techniques and tools used to manage public perception and maintain institutional integrity.
The visit reinforced the Nigeria Customs Service’s dedication to fostering academic partnerships and grooming the next generation of communication professionals through exposure, mentorship, and practical knowledge exchange.
