Adeniyi Named NRMG Vice Chair, Maiwada Backs Strategic PR for Policy Impact

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, has been appointed Vice Chair of the Body of Advisers of the Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG), further cementing his influence in public sector communication and national reputation management.

The announcement was made during the ongoing 2025 Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW), hosted by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The event, which began on May 19 and runs through May 23, brings together communication professionals, policymakers, and thought leaders to explore the role of strategic communication in nation-building.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, officially opened the event on Tuesday, May 20, declaring the federal government’s commitment to leveraging communication as a tool for development, good governance, and international perception.

Speaking after his installation, CGC Adeniyi described his new role as a “privilege,” pledging support for NRMG’s mission to enhance Nigeria’s global image.

“I have full trust in the capacity of this group, and I believe that with the calibre of individuals involved, a lot can be achieved in reshaping how Nigeria tells her story to her people and the world,” Adeniyi said.

He joins other prominent figures on the NRMG advisory board, including John Momoh, Chairman of Channels Television, who was named Chair of the advisory body. The group is expected to provide strategic direction for NRMG’s goal of building a consistent, credible, and compelling national image for Nigeria.

Also representing the Customs Service at the NPRW, National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, delivered a keynote paper titled “Advances in Government, Policy and Regulatory Communication.” In his presentation, Maiwada emphasized the need for a coordinated and people-centered communication strategy in public institutions.

“The changing dynamics of governance and policy implementation require us to speak clearly, truthfully, and strategically,” he said. “At Customs, we’ve learned that people don’t just want to be informed—they want to be understood and engaged.”

The NCS’s prominent role at this year’s NPRW reflects its growing recognition as a leader in institutional communication and national reputation building. With CGC Adeniyi’s appointment and Maiwada’s advocacy for transparent messaging, the Service continues to shape discourse around effective public communication in Nigeria.