The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a degree-awarding academy for public relations practice in Nigeria. This initiative is expected to enhance the professional standards of public relations in the country.
In addition, Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan has been elected as the Secretary-General of the African Public Relations Association (APRA), marking a significant milestone for Nigeria in the field of public relations.
Notably, public relations has now been designated as a cadre in the Federal Civil Service, effective December 2023. The Information Officer Cadre has been re-designated to “Information and Public Relations Officer Cadre,” and the Executive Cadre to “Executive Officer (Information and Public Relations).” The NIPR played a crucial role in this achievement and has been commended for its efforts.
Nigeria continues to lead in strengthening and elevating public relations practice both domestically and across Africa. During a recent meeting with the President of APRA, Mr. Arik Karani, Nigeria was praised for its pioneering role in professionalizing public relations on the continent.
Mr. Karani remarked, “Nigeria was, for the longest time, the only country in Africa that had a law that professionalized public relations. It was Nigeria that started it on the continent, and only last year did Zambia come out with its own law. So now we have two countries on the continent, and only now in Kenya, the bill for professionalizing public relations is at the second reading in Parliament.”
The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated its commitment to providing an enabling environment for the communications industry in Nigeria to thrive, ensuring continued progress and development in the field of public relations.
