Nigeria Customs Urges Maritime Journalists to Drive Industry Growth Through Balanced Reporting
Author: Lucy Nyambi.
The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, has called on maritime journalists to play a proactive role in fostering growth in the maritime sector.
The CGC made the call at the 10th annual anniversary seminar for maritime journalists, held on Wednesday, 17 December 2025, in Lagos.
CGC Adeniyi, who was represented by the Zonal Coordinator for Zone A, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Mohammed Babandede, congratulated the journalists on the milestone and appealed for objective and balanced reporting.
“As we continue our reforms in the Nigeria Customs Service, aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and service delivery, we count on maritime journalists to inform the public accurately. We also rely on you to identify areas where we can improve. Our door remains open for engagement, collaboration and partnership with the media,” he said.
Delivering a presentation at the seminar, the National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Deputy Comptroller of Customs (DC) Abdullahi Maiwada, spoke on the theme “Data Journalism in the Maritime Sector.”
DC Maiwada emphasised that data remains central to compelling storytelling, highlighting its increasing importance in both journalism and public relations.
“When you have data, we see things from different angles, so, for me, the figures should be correct, numbers should be factual, then interpretation of that data depends on who is interpreting that data,” Maiwada said.
He also encouraged maritime journalists to embrace artificial intelligence, describing it as an inevitable tool that will continue to shape the future of media practice.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the convener, Sesan Onileimo, highlighted the goal of collaboration for impact in the interest of the Nigerian maritime industry.
“We appeal to others to join this train, to embrace capacity building for maritime journalists and content owners,” he said.
The event featured the presentation of awards to special guests of honour, as well as the official launch of the Maritime Media and Capacity Development Centre.
