Customs Boss Backs 2026 World Public Relations Forum, Highlights Strategic Communication

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

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 public trust.

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 of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ike Neliaku, visited him at the Customs House in Abuja.Adeniyi used the meeting to highlight key reforms being implemented by the Service, including the B’Odogwu initiative, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme and Advance Ruling.

He said the reforms were aimed at improving Customs processes, providing greater predictability for legitimate businesses and strengthening engagement between the Service and its stakeholders.

The Customs boss said effective communication remained critical to ensuring that such reforms were properly understood and achieved their intended impact.

Adeniyi said the NCS recognised the significance of the WPRF and its potential to draw global attention to responsible communication, institutional trust and effective public service.

He assured the delegation of the Service’s support for the forum and its commitment to contributing to its successful hosting.

Speaking on the importance of the event, Green said bringing the WPRF to Nigeria would be a significant achievement for the country and the public relations profession in Africa.

He said the forum would provide an international platform to showcase Nigeria’s cultural heritage, communication industry and innovative approaches to public relations, while promoting knowledge-sharing, professional collaboration and discussions on the future of communication.

Green said representatives from the 126 member countries of the Global Alliance were expected to attend the forum.

Neliaku said the NIPR was engaging key institutions and stakeholders ahead of the event, noting that their participation and support were essential to its success.

He said the institute’s objective was to deliver what he described as the “best, biggest, and brightest” World Public Relations Forum and demonstrate Nigeria’s capacity to host major international professional events.

The WPRF 2026 is scheduled to hold in Abuja from November 15 to 21, 2026, under the theme, “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World.”