Customs Boss Adeniyi Rallies Support for Completion of NIPR Project

Ahead of World PR Forum…

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has called for greater support towards the completion of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) National Secretariat project in Abuja, ahead of the World Public Relations Forum scheduled to hold in Nigeria later this year.

CGC Adeniyi made the appeal on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, during an inspection visit to the ongoing construction of the NIPR National Secretariat, also known as “Public Relations Place,” situated within the premises of Radio House, Garki, Abuja.

He described the proposed structure as a national symbol the public relations profession deserves.

The Customs boss expressed satisfaction with the pace of work on the project and stressed the need for practitioners, corporate organisations and stakeholders to contribute towards delivering a befitting national edifice for the profession.

According to him, public relations has played a major role in shaping careers, strengthening institutions and promoting national development over the years.

“PR has done a lot for many of us. It has given us opportunities and platforms to serve, and it has made many of us what we are today. This is the time for us to give something back to the profession,” he said.

Adeniyi described the secretariat project as a landmark initiative capable of elevating the image of the profession both locally and internationally.

He expressed confidence in the leadership of the Institute and members of the project committee overseeing the construction, noting that the project remained on the right track despite the work still ahead.

“This is very commendable. There is still a long way to go, but we have the right people to drive this project to completion,” he stated.

The CGC also urged government institutions, private sector organisations and friends of the profession to support the project ahead of the World Public Relations Forum scheduled to hold in Nigeria later this year.

“We are hosting the world before the end of the year, and this project will be a good gift from Nigeria to the global PR family. Every support towards its completion will be welcomed,” he added.

The CGC further assured stakeholders of his continued support towards mobilising resources and partnerships for the successful completion of the project.

A Fellow and immediate past Vice President of the Institute, Adeniyi reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening professional practice and institutional development within the communications sector.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Muhammad Bulama, described the project as a significant development for the communication industry and commended the NIPR leadership for the initiative.

Bulama said Radio Nigeria willingly released the land for the project after recognising the strategic role of the Institute in national development and public communication.

He admitted that he initially doubted the pace of work on the project due to the history of abandoned structures previously occupying the site.

“To be very honest, I was initially sceptical. But today, we are seeing a massive structure rising here within a short period, and we are proud to host this important institution,” he said.

Also speaking, Vice President of NIPR and Chairman of the Project Committee, Professor Emmanuel Dandaura, appreciated the Customs boss for supporting the project and identifying with the vision of the Institute.

Dandaura assured stakeholders that the Institute remained committed to delivering a befitting national secretariat for the profession.

The inspection visit was attended by Fellows and members of the NIPR Governing Council, officials of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, engineers handling the project and other stakeholders in the communication sector.