Customs backs world PR forum, pledges support for global gathering
Adeniyi highlights B’Odogwu, AEO, Advance Ruling as reform milestones
Maureen Aguta
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has thrown its weight behind the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF), stressing that strategic communication is critical to building public trust and securing stakeholder support for institutional reforms.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, gave the assurance 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, Maitama, Abuja.
The forum, scheduled for Abuja from November 15 to 21, is expected to bring together public relations and communication professionals from across the world under the theme, “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World.”
Adeniyi said the Customs Service recognised the forum as an important platform for advancing responsible communication, institutional trust and effective public service.
He said the NCS would support the successful hosting of the global gathering and contribute to its success.
According to him, effective communication has become particularly important as the Service implements reforms designed to modernise its operations, improve trade facilitation and strengthen engagement with legitimate businesses and other stakeholders.
The CGC highlighted initiatives including B’Odogwu, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme and Advance Ruling, saying the reforms were aimed at making Customs procedures more efficient and predictable while improving the relationship between the Service and the trading community.
“ 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.
“And I want to assure you of the Service’s support for the forthcoming event and its commitment to contributing to its success,” Adeniyi said.
Earlier, Green said Nigeria’s hosting of the WPRF would represent a significant milestone for the country and the public relations profession in Africa.
He said the event would provide an international platform for Nigeria to showcase its cultural heritage, communication industry and emerging approaches to public relations, while promoting professional collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
Green disclosed that representatives from the 126 member countries of the Global Alliance were expected to participate in the forum.
“We are expecting all the 126 member countries of the Global Alliance to grace this forum,” he said.
On his part, Neliaku said the NIPR had commenced consultations with major institutions and stakeholders because their involvement would be crucial to the success of the international event.
He said the Institute’s ambition was to deliver what he described as the “best, biggest, and brightest” WPRF, while demonstrating Nigeria’s capacity to host a major global professional gathering.
Neliaku confirmed that the forum would hold in Abuja from November 15 to 21, 2026, under the theme, “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World.”
The NIPR President’s engagement with the Customs leadership is part of broader efforts by the Institute to mobilise public and institutional support for the global forum, which is expected to attract communication professionals, policymakers and other stakeholders from across different parts of the world.