Customs Deepens Academic-Professional Collaboration Through Engagement with Bingham University Students
Reinforcing its dedication to youth development and professional capacity building, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recently hosted final-year students of Mass Communication and Media Studies from Bingham University, Abuja, at its Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja. The engagement formed part of an academic excursion designed to provide students with firsthand exposure to the practical application of communication principles within a strategic public institution.
The visit, which took place on Wednesday, 9 July 2025, was led by senior lecturer and communication strategist, Mr. Sebastian Abu. It aimed to bridge the divide between classroom instruction and real-world practice, with particular emphasis on the role of public relations in national security and institutional reputation management.
While receiving the delegation, the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, underscored the vital function of strategic communication in fostering public confidence, enhancing transparency, and supporting the Service’s broader mandate of economic and border security.
He noted that modern public relations practice in the security sector demands more than media relations, stressing the importance of continuous learning, digital engagement, and crisis communication.
He said, “Public relations within the Nigeria Customs Service goes far beyond what many perceive. Our duties include managing crisis communication, engaging stakeholders, protecting institutional integrity, and ensuring that information flow supports national objectives.”
AC Maiwada reflected on the importance of humility and openness in communication, urging the students to remain teachable as they transition into the professional world.
He also described communication as a dynamic profession that evolves with technology and global realities.
Earlier in his remarks, Sebastian Abu praised the Customs PR team led by AC Maiwada for maintaining professionalism in public engagement, describing the visit as “a strategic knowledge exchange between gown and town.”
“This is not just a field trip. It is a deliberate effort to expose our students to real-world challenges and how they are managed by professionals. The Nigeria Customs Service has set a model of communication practice that should be emulated across government institutions,” he said.
Some of the students, who are preparing to graduate in the coming weeks, shared their fields of aspirations and expressed appreciation to the Customs Service for the experience, describing the engagement as inspiring and timely.
The visit afforded the students the opportunity to tour the PR Unit, interact with officers managing content production, and explore digital tools used to promote the image of the Service.
They also viewed in-house documentary productions and observed media strategies used to address crisis situations.
