Customs CG Adeniyi to receive IPRA special recognition award in Greece
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has been selected to receive the Special Recognition Award of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) at the 2026 Golden World Awards scheduled for September 25 in Athens, Greece.
The announcement comes as three Nigerian institutions—the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC)—were shortlisted as finalists for the 2026 Golden World Awards for public relations campaigns executed in partnership with Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), publishers of PRNigeria and Spokespersons Digest. Lagos-based communications firm LSF PR also made the finalists’ list in different award categories.
Founded in London in 1955, IPRA is the world’s oldest global association for public relations professionals. It introduced the Golden World Awards in 1990 to recognise excellence in public relations practice across various categories worldwide.
The latest recognition adds to a string of international honours earned by the Nigeria Customs Service under Adeniyi’s leadership. The Service won IPRA Golden World Awards in Belgrade in 2024 and Ghana in 2025, while Adeniyi also received the Certificate of Excellence for CEO of the Year at the SABRE Africa Awards in South Africa earlier this year.
In a notification dated July 31, 2026, IPRA Secretary-General Philip Sheppard said the award was in recognition of Adeniyi’s contributions to public relations practice, institutional communication and professional excellence within the Nigeria Customs Service.
“We look forward to welcoming you to Athens as we celebrate your achievements and your outstanding service to the communication profession,” Sheppard wrote.
IPRA also commended the Customs chief for strengthening public trust, improving crisis communication systems and promoting international best practices, noting that the initiatives have enhanced Nigeria’s reputation within the global communication community.
Adeniyi is expected to receive the award in person at the Golden World Awards ceremony at the Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens, where communication professionals from around the world will gather to celebrate excellence in public relations and strategic communication.
