The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has pledged the Service’s support for the successful hosting of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF), while stressing the importance of strategic communication in advancing institutional reforms.
Adeniyi made the commitment on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, when a delegation led by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, Professor Justin Green, and the President and Chairman of Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ike Neliaku, visited him at the Customs House in Maitama, Abuja.
The Customs boss used the engagement to highlight some of the major reforms being implemented by the Service, including B’Odogwu, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme and Advance Ruling.
He explained that the initiatives were designed to improve Customs processes, enhance predictability for legitimate traders and strengthen engagement between the Service and its stakeholders.
According to Adeniyi, effective communication remains critical to ensuring that stakeholders understand and support institutional reforms.
“The Nigeria Customs Service recognised the importance of the World Public Relations Forum and its potential to bring global attention to responsible communication, institutional trust and effective public service,” he said.
He assured the delegation of the NCS’s support for the forthcoming global forum and its commitment to contributing to its success.
Speaking on the significance of the event, Green said Nigeria’s hosting of WPRF 2026 would represent a significant achievement for the country and the public relations profession in Africa.
He said the forum would provide an international platform to showcase Nigeria’s cultural heritage, communication industry and innovative approaches to public relations, while promoting knowledge-sharing, professional collaboration and dialogue on the future of communication.
“We are expecting all the 126 member countries of the Global Alliance to grace this forum,” Green said.
Earlier, Neliaku said the NIPR was engaging key institutions and stakeholders ahead of the forum because their participation and support would be vital to the success of the international gathering.
He described the Institute’s ambition for the Abuja edition as delivering the “best, biggest, and brightest” World Public Relations Forum, with Nigeria demonstrating its capacity to host a major global professional event.
Neliaku disclosed that WPRF 2026 would be held in Abuja from November 15 to 21, 2026, under the theme, “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World.”
