Abuja's Best
Music & Talk
Radio

NIGERIA CUSTOMS MOVES TO CURB ONLINE SCAMS, FAKE NEWS WITH AI TRACKING‎

LAGOS, Nigeria, – The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it has started using digital data-tracking tools to tackle fake news and online scams affecting its image.

‎

‎The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Friday at the Neccipr Roundtable 2026 in Lagos.

‎

‎Adeniyi, who was represented by the National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, said the service is deploying artificial intelligence to track misinformation.

‎

‎He said AI is being used in core operations and strategic communication, including risk management to assess and categorise risks in imported goods for appropriate intervention.

‎

‎”AI can also analyse sentiment and understand how people perceive customs activities,” Maiwada said, adding that the service is using all available platforms to establish facts and working with other agencies to arrest those behind misleading information.

‎

‎Earlier, convener of the roundtable, Nkechi Ali-Balogun, said public relations professionals must lead national discourse on how algorithms shape information.

‎

‎She said the 2026 edition, themed “Algorithm Influence & Public Relations”, examined who controls the flow of information in an AI-powered world.

‎

‎The event featured keynote addresses by the President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Ike Neliaku, and former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili.