By George Ozalla
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has pledged the support of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for the successful hosting of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) in Abuja, stressing the importance of responsible communication, institutional trust and effective public service.
Adeniyi made the commitment on Tuesday, 22 September 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, alongside the President and Chairman of Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ike Neliaku, visited him at the Customs House, Maitama, Abuja, ahead of the global forum.
The Comptroller-General used the engagement to highlight some of the major reforms undertaken by the Service, including B’Odogwu, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme and Advance Ruling, noting that the initiatives were designed to improve Customs processes, provide greater predictability for legitimate traders and strengthen the relationship between the Service and its stakeholders.
Adeniyi said the Nigeria Customs Service recognised the importance of the World Public Relations Forum and its potential to draw global attention to responsible communication, institutional trust and effective public service.
“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. And, I want to assure you of the Service’s support for the forthcoming event and its commitment to contributing to its success,” he said.
Speaking on the significance of the forum, Professor Justin Green said hosting WPRF 2026 in Nigeria would be a significant achievement for the country and the public relations profession in Africa.
Green said the forum would provide a global platform to showcase Nigeria’s cultural heritage, communication industry and innovative approaches to public relations, while creating opportunities for 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,” he said.
Earlier, NIPR President and Chairman of Council, Ike Neliaku, said the Institute was engaging key institutions and other stakeholders ahead of the forum because their participation and support would be vital to the success of the international gathering.
Neliaku 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.
He disclosed that the WPRF would be held in Abuja from 15 to 21 November 2026 under the theme, “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World.”
