Nigeria Customs Service Honoured with Global Award for Crisis Communication Excellence

Nigeria Customs Service Honoured with Global Award for Crisis Communication Excellence

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has been awarded the prestigious Golden World Award (GWA) for Crisis Communication by the International Public Relations Association (IPRA). This recognition, which highlights the NCS’s outstanding public relations campaign, was presented on October 18, 2024, during a grand ceremony at the Metropol Palace Hotel in Belgrade, Serbia.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, accepted the award on behalf of the Service from IPRA President, Nataša Pavlović Bujas. The accolade was given in recognition of the “100 Days of Impactful PR at Customs Service” campaign, which demonstrated the NCS’s ability to effectively navigate operational challenges and engage critical stakeholders during a period of transition.

Speaking at the event, Adeniyi emphasized the campaign's significance in addressing key issues during his first 100 days in office. “Our focus was on crisis communication,” he said. “The campaign we implemented during this time successfully addressed these challenges, resulting in positive outcomes for the Service and the nation.”

The NCS campaign, which won in the Crisis Management category, was praised for its role in fostering enhanced collaboration with stakeholders, bolstering border security, and improving revenue collection. The initiative also played a key role in restoring trust and optimism within the NCS and among its partners.

Philip Sheppard, Secretary-General of IPRA, commended Adeniyi’s leadership, noting its pivotal role in the campaign’s success. “Under Wale Adeniyi’s leadership, the campaign not only strengthened partnerships and improved border security but also led to a significant increase in revenue generation,” Sheppard remarked. “It has brought a renewed sense of optimism and hope for the future within the Nigeria Customs Service.”

The Golden World Awards, established in 1990, are a prestigious global recognition of excellence in public relations, covering various categories. This award reinforces the NCS's commitment to aligning its activities with international standards of communication and governance. Through strategic public relations efforts, the NCS has successfully raised awareness of customs reforms and reaffirmed its role in safeguarding national security and promoting economic development.

Looking ahead, Comptroller-General Adeniyi declared 2024 as the “Year of Stakeholders,” stressing the importance of maintaining strong relationships with both existing and new partners. “Our goal is to continue strengthening communication with stakeholders, ensuring their concerns are heard and addressed,” he stated.

The NCS remains committed to furthering its role in national development through strategic communication, reforms, and collaboration with stakeholders.