The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has pledged its support for the successful hosting of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF), scheduled to take place in Abuja from November 15 to 21.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, made the commitment 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 the Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr Ike Neliaku, paid him a courtesy visit at the Customs House, Maitama, Abuja.
Adeniyi highlighted some of the major reforms being implemented by the Service, including the B’Odogwu platform, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme and Advance Ruling.
He explained that the initiatives were designed to modernise Customs processes, improve predictability for legitimate traders and strengthen the relationship between the Service and its stakeholders.
The Comptroller-General stressed that strategic communication remained critical to ensuring that stakeholders understood the objectives and benefits of the reforms.
He said the NCS 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.
Adeniyi said, “I want to assure you of the Service’s support for the forthcoming event and its commitment to contributing to its success.”
Speaking on the significance of the forum, Green said Nigeria’s hosting of WPRF 2026 would be a significant achievement for the country and the public relations profession in Africa.
He 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,” Green said.
Earlier, Neliaku said the Institute was engaging key institutions and stakeholders ahead of the forum because their participation and support would be crucial to the success of the international gathering.
He said the NIPR’s ambition was to deliver the “best, biggest, and brightest” World Public Relations Forum, while demonstrating Nigeria’s capacity to host a major global professional event.
Neliaku said the 2026 World Public Relations Forum would be held in Abuja from November 15 to 21 under the theme, “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World.”
