NPRW 2026: Nigeria Customs, Stakeholders Advance Communication Strategies on Food Security

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with key stakeholders, has continued to advance conversations on food security, policy communication, and strategic stakeholder engagement at the 2026 Nigerian Public Relations Week (NPRW).

Held from Sunday 19 April to Friday 24, 2026, at the Brigadier General Abba Kyari Banquet Hall in Kaduna, the event, themed “Policy Making to Public Plate,” drew high-level participation, including Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima and Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sanni.

It also attracted communication professionals, policymakers, media practitioners, and public relations experts who deliberated on issues shaping food inflation and national food security.

Throughout the week-long programme, the Service maintained a strong presence, with over 29 Customs Public Relations Officers in attendance, underscoring its commitment to strengthening institutional communication, deepening stakeholder engagement, and promoting professional excellence in public relations practice.

A major highlight of the event was a high-level panel session focused on the role of strategic communication in addressing food inflation and shaping public understanding of government interventions on food security.

Speaking during the panel session, the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, DC Abdullahi Maiwada, underscored the importance of communication to policy formulation and implementation, particularly in trade facilitation and border management.

He explained that policies may not deliver the intended results if they are not effectively communicated to the public, noting that greater public understanding fosters alignment and compliance.

To him, when people understand how policies affect them, they are more likely to align with them.

Maiwada further noted that effective communication remains essential for building trust, shaping perceptions, and ensuring that policy measures are not only understood but also supported by the public, particularly in addressing complex issues such as food inflation and supply chain challenges.

In his words, “Even at the implementation stage of any policy, communication is critical. “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”.

Other panelists, including Pan-African Parliament Ambassador for Food Security, Ambassador Bryiyne Chitsunge, and communication expert Agnes Bassey, identified climate change and insecurity as major drivers of food inflation, stressing that weak communication around these realities often fuels public misunderstanding and misinformation.

The session also highlighted the need for accurate, data-driven, and solution-oriented media reporting, while calling for stronger collaboration between government institutions and the media to promote balanced narratives on food security and national development.

As part of the event’s activities, the Service spokesman hosted a dinner for Public Relations Officers at the B.A. Adeniyi Officers’ Mess in Kaduna, which provides them with the opportunity to unwind and strengthen camaraderie outside formal conference sessions.

The dinner was attended by the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Zone B Headquarters, ACG Nsika Umoh, and the Comptroller of the Kaduna Customs Area Command, Comptroller Sa’ad Hassan, alongside other officers who participated in the conference.

In her remarks, ACG Umoh commended the unity and professional bond among officers in the Public Relations Unit, describing the atmosphere as inspiring and family-oriented.