- Senior lecturer and communication strategist, Department of Mass Communication and Media Studies, the Bingham University, Abuja, Sebastian Abu (right) and a 400L communications student during their study tour of the Nigeria Customs Service headquarters in Maitama, Abuja
By Anthony Nwachukwu
In its demonstration of commitment to youth engagement and professional development, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) hosted 400-level students of Mass Communication and Media Studies from Bingham University, Abuja, at the its corporate headquarters in Maitama.
The excursion, led by a senior lecturer and communication strategist, Sebastian Abu, and hosted by the Customs National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, aimed at bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical realities in the field of public relations, particularly within security institutions.
Welcoming the students to the PR Unit, Maiwada highlighted the significance of strategic communication in shaping public trust, protecting national security and facilitating economic stability.
He stressed the importance of continuous learning, digital engagement and crisis communication, explaining that modern public relations practice in the security sector demands more than media relations.
According to him, “public relations within the Nigeria Customs Service goes far beyond what many perceive” to include “managing crisis communication, engaging stakeholders, protecting institutional integrity and ensuring that information flow supports national objectives.”
Maiwada emphasised the importance of humility and openness in communication, urging the students to remain teachable as they transition into the professional world. He further described communication as a dynamic profession that evolves with technology and global realities.
Earlier, the leader of the team, Abu, commended the Customs PR team for maintaining professionalism in public engagement, describing the visit as “a strategic knowledge exchange between gown and town.”
According to him, this is not just a field trip but “a deliberate effort to expose our students to real-world challenges and how they are managed by professionals.” He added that the NCS “has set a model of communication practice that should be emulated across government institutions.”
The visit afforded the students the opportunity to tour the PR Unit, interact with officers managing content production, and explore digital tools used to promote the agency’s image.
They also viewed in-house documentary productions and observed media strategies used to address crisis situations.
