The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified efforts to tackle fake news, online scams and misleading information targeting the Service through the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital data-tracking intelligence tools into its communication strategy.
The National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this on Friday, October 30, 2026, while representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the 2026 edition of the NECCIPR Roundtable held in Lagos.
The event, themed “Algorithm Influence and Public Relations,” examined the growing influence of artificial intelligence and digital algorithms on public perception, information management and strategic communication.
Maiwada explained that the Service was leveraging emerging technologies not only to strengthen its core Customs operations but also to improve strategic communication, monitor public sentiment and address the spread of misinformation.
He stressed that effective public relations required clear communication and public understanding of Customs operations, noting that the public must understand the rationale behind the actions and enforcement activities of officers.
According to him, artificial intelligence has become an important tool in Customs operations, particularly in risk management, where imported goods are assessed and categorised according to their risk levels to determine appropriate interventions.
He further explained that AI-powered tools could analyse public sentiment and provide insights into how Nigerians perceive the activities of the Service.
Maiwada added that the NCS was utilising available digital platforms to establish facts, counter misleading narratives and collaborate with relevant agencies to identify and apprehend individuals responsible for spreading false information.
Earlier, the convener of the NECCIPR Roundtable 2026, Nkechi Ali-Balogun, said the initiative was established on the conviction that public relations professionals must move beyond message management to actively shape national conversations.
She noted that the growing influence of artificial intelligence and digital algorithms had fundamentally changed how information was created, distributed and consumed, raising concerns about the forces shaping public opinion.
Ali-Balogun observed that a single algorithm could influence political narratives, amplify conspiracy theories and determine the information consumed and shared by millions of people.
The roundtable also featured keynote presentations by the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Ike Neliaku, and former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, alongside other dignitaries and communication professionals.
The discussions underscored the growing need for responsible technology adoption, credible information management and professional standards in public relations amid the increasing influence of artificial intelligence and digital communication platforms.
Leave a Reply