Strategic Mentorship, Practical Learning Take Center Stage at Day Two of Customs PR Conference 

Strategic Mentorship and practical learning took center stage on Thursday, 23 July 2026, as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) dedicated the second day of its Public Relations Conference in Port Harcourt to developing a modern and adaptable forward-looking PR work force by bridging the gap between academic knowledge and professional practice.

The mentorship session, which served as the highlight of the day’s activities, brought together students and scholars from Rivers State University, the University of Port Harcourt, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, and Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic for direct engagement with senior Customs officers and communication experts.

Moderated by Amina Yuguda, Head of Station, Nigeria Customs Service Broadcasting Network, the panel session featured Chief Superintendent of Customs Luqman Abdullahi-Lagos and Assistant Superintendent of Customs I Folusho Adeogun.

The panel provided practical career guidance, and advocated the use of simulation exercises and role-play to prepare emerging public relations practitioners for modern communication challenges.

Addressing the gathering, National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada emphasised that effective public relations must prioritise continuous mentorship to build leaders capable of sustaining institutional trust.

He encouraged younger officers and students to embrace character, competence, clarity, consistency, and cost-consciousness as foundational pillars for career progression and education.

His words, “Effective public relations must extend beyond information dissemination to mentoring future leaders built on character, competence, and clarity”.

The conference also featured practical masterclasses where senior officers used ongoing Customs reforms as real-world learning tools.

While Assistant Superintendent of Customs I (ASCI) Usman Idris examined how strategic stakeholder engagement and media campaigns contributed to the successful rollout of the Unified Customs Management System, codenamed B’Odogwu, ASCI Joseph Adejoh highlighted transparency and proactive stakeholder engagement as key driver to implementing the Advanced Ruling System and the One-Stop Shop.

Participants also received hands-on training from the NCS Headquarters Social Media Team on digital communication tools, audience analytics, and proactive online reputation management.

The mentorship-driven event reinforces the Service’s broader strategy to build a modern, adaptable, and forward-looking PR workforce equipped to strengthening public confidence and support ongoing institutional reforms.