The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is turning to artificial intelligence and advanced digital intelligence tools to tackle fake news, online scams and misleading information circulating across social media and other digital platforms.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening the agency’s ability to monitor online conversations, verify information and respond quickly to false narratives capable of damaging its reputation and public confidence in its operations.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, disclosed the development while speaking at the 2026 Nigerian Council of the Institute of Public Relations (NECCIPR) Roundtable in Abuja.
According to him, artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly important part of the service’s operations, not only in managing risks associated with imported goods but also in improving strategic communication and understanding public opinion.
Adeniyi’s remarks were contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by the service’s spokesperson, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada.
The announcement highlights the growing role of technology in government communication as public institutions face increasing challenges from misinformation, online fraud and rapidly spreading social media content.
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Customs Introduces AI Tools to Monitor Fake News and Misleading Information
Adeniyi explained that the Nigeria Customs Service was leveraging artificial intelligence and digital platforms to identify misleading information and establish the facts surrounding issues involving the agency.
He said the technology would help the service monitor online information, assess claims and respond to narratives that could create misunderstanding about its activities.
The Comptroller-General also disclosed that the agency was working with relevant institutions to verify information and identify individuals responsible for spreading misleading content.
According to him, collaboration with appropriate agencies would help ensure that those involved in deliberate misinformation could be identified and apprehended where necessary.
The initiative reflects the Customs Service’s intention to become more proactive in managing its public image rather than waiting for false reports to spread before responding.
With information moving rapidly across social media platforms, the agency believes digital intelligence can provide useful support in identifying emerging issues and establishing accurate information.
However, the broader objective is not limited to protecting the reputation of the service. It also involves improving public understanding of Customs operations and strengthening communication between the agency and Nigerians.
Bashir Adeniyi Explains Why AI Is Becoming Important in Customs Operations
Speaking at the NECCIPR Roundtable, Adeniyi emphasised that artificial intelligence had become an important tool across different areas of Customs operations.
He noted that the technology was already being used in the service’s core operational responsibilities, particularly in risk management, as well as its strategic communication activities.
“The role of AI cannot be overemphasised, especially within our operations. Over the years, AI has been deployed in our core operational duties as well as strategic communication,” he said.
His remarks highlighted how the agency is incorporating digital technologies into its day-to-day activities to improve efficiency and support decision-making.
Adeniyi explained that AI-assisted systems could help Customs officers analyse information, identify potential risks and determine the appropriate level of intervention required in different situations.
He also pointed to the usefulness of artificial intelligence in understanding public reactions to the agency’s activities.
By analysing online discussions and public sentiment, the service can gain insights into how Nigerians perceive its policies, enforcement activities and other operations.
Such information can help the agency identify areas where communication needs improvement and respond to public concerns more effectively.
How Artificial Intelligence Helps Customs Assess Imported Goods
Beyond tackling misinformation, one of the major applications of AI within the Nigeria Customs Service is risk management.
Adeniyi explained that AI-assisted systems help the agency assess imported goods and classify them according to their respective risk levels.
This process allows Customs officers to determine which consignments may require additional attention and the type of intervention that should be applied.
Risk-based assessment is important in customs administration because large volumes of imported goods pass through Nigeria’s entry points.
Technology can help officers analyse available information more efficiently, identify potential irregularities and focus attention on consignments that require closer examination.
By using AI to support risk assessment, the service aims to improve operational efficiency and strengthen its ability to carry out its responsibilities.
The same technology can also support strategic planning by helping officials process information and identify patterns that may not be immediately obvious through conventional methods.
Adeniyi’s comments suggest that the agency sees artificial intelligence as a tool with applications extending beyond communication and public relations.
Customs Wants to Improve Public Understanding of Its Activities
Another major issue raised by the Comptroller-General was the importance of effective communication between the Nigeria Customs Service and the public.
Adeniyi stressed that Nigerians need to understand the reasons behind the actions and decisions of Customs officers, particularly when carrying out enforcement operations.
He noted that poor communication can create misunderstandings and allow inaccurate information to influence public perceptions.
For an agency whose responsibilities include revenue collection, trade facilitation and enforcement of relevant regulations, maintaining public confidence is particularly important.
Customs operations sometimes involve interventions that may affect businesses, importers, traders and members of the public.
Providing clear explanations about the reasons for such actions can help reduce confusion and improve understanding of the agency’s responsibilities.
The Comptroller-General therefore emphasised the need to use modern communication tools to ensure that accurate information reaches the public.
Through AI-supported monitoring and digital intelligence, the service hopes to understand public concerns, verify claims and respond to emerging issues more effectively.
Digital Platforms to Help Identify Online Scams and False Narratives
The Customs Service’s proposed approach also reflects growing concerns about online scams and the misuse of digital platforms to circulate false information.
Social media has become an important channel for sharing news and communicating with public institutions. However, the speed at which information spreads can make it difficult to distinguish verified reports from fabricated claims.
Adeniyi said the NCS was using digital platforms to monitor information and work with relevant agencies to establish the facts behind misleading narratives.
The collaboration is also intended to support efforts to identify and apprehend individuals responsible for spreading false information.
This approach combines technological monitoring with cooperation between institutions, recognising that addressing online misinformation may require more than the efforts of a single government agency.
The use of artificial intelligence could help the Customs Service identify patterns in online discussions, detect potentially misleading content and improve the speed of its communication responses.
Nevertheless, accurate verification remains essential when dealing with information circulating online, particularly where allegations involve individuals, businesses or government institutions.
NECCIPR Roundtable Examines AI and the Future of Public Relations
Adeniyi made the disclosure at the 2026 Nigerian Council of the Institute of Public Relations Roundtable.
The event was held under the theme “Algorithm Influence and Public Relations.”
The discussion focused on the growing influence of artificial intelligence, digital technologies and online platforms on public communication.
As businesses, government agencies and other institutions increasingly depend on digital channels to engage their audiences, public relations professionals are facing new challenges in managing information and protecting organisational credibility.
The roundtable provided an opportunity to examine how technological developments are changing communication strategies and the responsibilities of public relations practitioners.
Issues surrounding misinformation, algorithm-driven content, online reputation management and the use of AI in communication formed part of the broader subject addressed by the event.
The Customs Service’s decision to embrace artificial intelligence for both operational and communication purposes reflects this changing environment.
What the New AI Strategy Means for the Nigeria Customs Service
The NCS initiative signals a broader shift towards technology-driven administration and communication within the agency.
By combining artificial intelligence with digital monitoring, risk assessment and cooperation with other institutions, the service hopes to improve its ability to respond to operational challenges and misleading online information.
The strategy could also help the agency understand public concerns more clearly and communicate its activities in ways that Nigerians can better understand.
For businesses and members of the public, improved communication may provide greater clarity about Customs procedures, enforcement activities and other official decisions.
Ultimately, Adeniyi’s announcement demonstrates the growing importance of artificial intelligence in modern public administration.
As digital platforms continue to influence how Nigerians receive and share information, the Nigeria Customs Service is positioning technology as an important part of its efforts to combat misinformation, address online scams and strengthen public engagement.
The effectiveness of the initiative will depend on accurate information verification, responsible use of digital intelligence and effective collaboration with relevant agencies.
