Abstract

Media literacy is more critical today than ever before due to the vast and complex information landscape shaped by new media platforms. Smuggling, a global phenomenon, involves the illegal transportation of goods across borders, violating established laws and regulations. National security, a central concern in policy and public discourse, is deeply intertwined with the control of such illicit activities. This paper employs the Social Construction of Reality as its theoretical framework, enabling a critical examination of existing knowledge to assess its relevance, consistency, and potential for replication or refutation. The paper argues that one of the core functions of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is the suppression of smuggling, particularly of illicit goods that, if left unchecked, could severely compromise national security. The public’s understanding and engagement with media narratives surrounding anti-smuggling efforts have significant implications for the effectiveness of this mission. The paper concludes that the NCS’s role in safeguarding national security, particularly through the enforcement of border control and fiscal policies, is influenced by the level of public media literacy. A more informed public, achieved through targeted media literacy campaigns and strategic engagement, can enhance transparency, accountability, and ultimately bolster the NCS’s efforts in combating smuggling. Thus, media literacy emerges as a crucial element in reducing security threats and fostering national stability.

Key Words: Customs Service, National Security, Smuggling, Media Literacy, Public Perception

About the Authors

* Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, Ph.D. is of the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Abuja, Nigeria. His research interest is in public relations.

** Eric Msughter Aondover, Ph.D., is a Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Caleb University, Imota, Lagos, Nigeria. His research interest include: media literacy, media and gender, media and society, digital media, media and conflict and political communication.

*** Lawal Umar Maradun, Ph.D. is of the Department of Mass Communication, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria. His research interest include: political communication, media and society, media and conflict, and media literacy.

^JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 18, No. 1, Special Issue 4, January 2026, pp. 65-76.

© Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON).

Article Citation

Maiwada, A. A., Aondover, E. M. & Maradun, L. U. (2026). Impact of media literacy on smuggling and its implications to national security in the Nigeria Customs Service. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 18 (1, SP.4): 65-76.

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