The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS has commenced a four-day capacity-building workshop for journalists in Abuja as part of efforts to deepen media understanding of its ongoing Trade Modernisation Project and broader institutional reforms.
The workshop, themed “Enhancing Media Knowledge and Understanding of Customs Modernisation Project,” brought together journalists from various media organisations across the country to strengthen public understanding of the Service’s digital transformation agenda.
Declaring the workshop open on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation, Timi Bomodi, said the media remains critical to the success of ongoing reforms within the Service.
Bomodi noted that the pace of reforms within the Customs Service has made it necessary for stakeholders, particularly journalists, to fully understand the purpose, direction and expected impact of the transformation process.
“A lot is happening within the Service, and sometimes it may be difficult for stakeholders to keep pace with the speed of these developments. That is why engagements like this have become necessary,” he said.
He described the Trade Modernisation Project as one of the most strategic reforms currently being implemented by the Service, aimed at eliminating inefficiencies, simplifying trade procedures and creating a more predictable business environment.
“The Trade Modernisation Project sits at the centre of our transformation journey. Through digital platforms, automation of procedures, and systems integration, we are building a Customs administration that is efficient, transparent, and globally competitive,” Bomodi added.
According to him, reforms of such scale cannot succeed without public understanding, stressing that the media serves as the bridge between institutions and the public.
“When change happens, stakeholders must understand not just what is changing, but why it is changing. That is where the media becomes indispensable,” he said.
Earlier, the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Abdullahi Maiwada, explained that the workshop was designed to equip journalists with practical knowledge of the modernisation project and other reforms taking place within the Service.
“In this era of global trade and technological advancement, it has become necessary to carry critical stakeholders, particularly the media, along in this journey of transformation,” Maiwada stated.
He added that beyond infrastructure and technology, the success of Customs modernisation depends largely on accurate public communication and informed reportage.
Also speaking, Executive Director of Trade Modernisation Project Limited, Ahmad Ogunsola, encouraged participants to engage actively throughout the sessions and seek clarification on all aspects of the project.
“Our objective is to answer as many questions as possible and ensure that by the end of this engagement, participants leave with a deeper understanding of the project and its impact on trade facilitation in Nigeria,” Ogunsola said.
Other members of the Customs management team present at the opening ceremony included Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of ICT/Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, and Assistant Comptroller-General in charge of Headquarters, Muhammad Shu’aibu.
Resource persons at the workshop included Deputy Comptroller Nafi’u Salihu, who delivered a presentation on the Integrated Non-Intrusive Inspection System, Assistant Comptroller Bukola Omoniyi, alongside other senior officers of the Service.
The training, which began on Wednesday, 6 May 2026, is expected to conclude on Saturday, 9 May 2026.
