The National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, has earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Media Arts from the University of Abuja following the successful defence of his doctoral dissertation on April 16, 2025.
Maiwada announced the milestone in a statement titled “CNPRO Maiwada: Alhamdulillah, My PhD Journey is Complete,” describing the academic journey as both demanding and deeply fulfilling.
His doctoral thesis, “Assessment of Internal Communication and Employee Relations Management in the Nigeria Customs Service,” represents the culmination of a deliberate academic transition. Though he initially trained in Education/Geography and later Environmental Management at Bayero University Kano, Maiwada returned to academia to pursue Mass Communication from the undergraduate level through postgraduate studies, ultimately earning a PhD in Media Arts.
He undertook this academic progression while serving as head of the NCS Public Relations Unit, balancing the rigours of scholarship with the demands of managing the Service’s public communications.
Maiwada attributed his achievement to divine grace, noting that the journey required resilience and discipline.
In his acknowledgements, he dedicated the thesis to his late father and expressed gratitude to his mother, as well as the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for their support. He also appreciated Dr. Roseline Yacim of the University of Abuja, his supervisor, Prof. Barth Oshionebo, and other academic staff for their guidance and constructive input.
He further extended appreciation to his wife, Aisha Musa Auyo, a PhD candidate, alongside colleagues and associates who contributed to the success of the research.
Highlighting the academic quality of his work, Maiwada disclosed that the external examiner, Prof. Irene Agunloye, described the thesis as “almost flawless,” noting it was only the second time in her 35-year career she had made such a commendation.
Reflecting on the graduation ceremony, he said he drew inspiration from an 85-year-old lecturer from Baze University who also earned a PhD, describing the moment as a powerful reminder that learning and achievement are not limited by age.
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