CUSTOMS BACKS WORLD PUBLIC RELATIONS FORUM HIGHLIGHTS STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION’S ROLE IN REFORMS
Customs Backs 2026 World Public Relations Forum, Highlights Strategic Communication’s Role in Reforms
By Babatunde Aremu
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has pledged its support for the successful hosting of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF), stressing the importance of strategic communication in driving institutional reforms and strengthening stakeholder confidence.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, made the commitment 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 Customs House, Maitama, Abuja.
Adeniyi used the engagement to highlight some of the major reforms being implemented by the Service, including B’Odogwu, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme and Advance Ruling.
According to him, the initiatives are designed to improve Customs processes, provide greater predictability for legitimate traders and strengthen engagement between the NCS and its stakeholders.
“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,” Adeniyi said.
He assured the delegation of the Service’s support for the forthcoming forum and its commitment to contributing to its success.
Speaking on the significance of hosting the forum in Nigeria, Green said the event would represent a major achievement for the country and the public relations profession in Africa.
He said the forum would provide an international platform for Nigeria to showcase its cultural heritage, communication industry and innovative approaches to public relations, while promoting knowledge-sharing, professional collaboration and dialogue on the future of communication.
“We are expecting all the 126 member countries of the Global Alliance to grace this forum,” Green said.
Earlier, Neliaku explained that the NIPR had been engaging key institutions and stakeholders because their participation and support would be critical to the success of the international gathering.
He described the Institute’s ambition for the Abuja forum as delivering the “best, biggest, and brightest” World Public Relations Forum, with Nigeria demonstrating its capacity to host a major global professional event.
Neliaku disclosed that the WPRF would take place in Abuja from November 15 to 21, 2026, under the theme, “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World.”
