The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has begun deploying artificial intelligence and digital data-tracking tools to identify and tackle fake news, online scams and misleading information targeting the agency.
The Service said the technology would help it monitor public conversations, establish facts about its operations and identify individuals spreading false information capable of damaging its reputation.
The National Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this at the 2026 edition of the Neccipr Roundtable in Lagos, where he represented the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.
The event, themed “Algorithm Influence and Public Relations,” examined the growing influence of artificial intelligence and digital platforms on public communication and the spread of information.
Maiwada said artificial intelligence had become increasingly important to the Customs Service, not only in its core operations but also in strategic communication and public relations.
He explained that the technology was already being used for risk management, particularly in assessing imported goods and classifying them according to their risk levels to determine the appropriate customs interventions.
According to him, AI can also help the Service analyse public sentiment and understand how Nigerians perceive its activities, allowing it to respond more effectively to concerns and misinformation.
“The role of AI cannot be over emphasised, especially within our operations. Over the years, AI has been deployed in our core operational duties as well as strategic communication,” he said.
Maiwada added that the Service was using available digital platforms to verify information and establish facts, while collaborating with other agencies to track down individuals responsible for misleading reports.
He said effective communication remained essential to ensuring that Nigerians understood and accepted the activities of customs officers, particularly when carrying out enforcement duties.
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Earlier, the convener of the roundtable, Nkechi Ali-Balogun, said public relations professionals could no longer limit their responsibilities to managing organisational messages but must also play a leading role in shaping national conversations.
She warned that the growing influence of algorithms and artificial intelligence was changing how people received information, formed opinions and responded to public issues.
“When machines decide what we see, who is really shaping the Nigerian mind? Who now controls the flow of information that shapes what Nigerians believe?” she asked.
Ali-Balogun said a single algorithm could influence political narratives, spread conspiracy theories and determine the information consumed and shared by millions of people.
The event also featured keynote addresses by the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Ike Neliaku, and former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, alongside other invited dignitaries.
The discussions highlighted the need for public relations professionals and institutions to strengthen their capacity to promote credible information in an increasingly AI-driven communication environment.
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
