This announcement was made by Dr. Ike Neliaku, President and Council Chairman of the NIPR, during the just-concluded Second Nigeria Spokespersons’ Summit (NSS), held in Abuja. The summit, themed “Integrity and the Evolving Roles of Spokespersons in Leadership Communication,” brought together seasoned communication professionals and key government figures to address the pressing role of public relations in national development.
According to Dr. Neliaku, the university project is a collaborative effort involving the Global Alliance for Public Relations, the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the Leadership Advancement Foundation, and the Nasarawa State Government.
“We are delighted to inform you that Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has provided and presented to us the 100 hectares of land required to ensure that work commences on schedule in 2026,” he announced.
Special State Partnerships and National Rebirth Agenda
Dr. Neliaku also acknowledged strategic partnerships with the governments of Jigawa and Nasarawa States, lauding them for supporting key NIPR initiatives. The REBIRTH Nigeria Project, launched in collaboration with the Jigawa State Government, aims to reorient national values, promote service excellence, and elevate made-in-Nigeria goods—complementing the efforts of the National Orientation Agency.
He emphasized that these efforts are grounded in professional expertise and a private-sector perspective, underscoring the need for a holistic and credible approach to citizen education and national branding.
National Orientation Minister Champions Media Literacy and PR Reforms
Delivering the keynote address, Mallam Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, announced that Nigeria is close to launching the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Institute, to be located at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja.
“This will be the first MIL Institute of its kind in the world,” the minister stated, noting that he had just returned from discussions with UNESCO officials in Paris regarding the initiative’s rollout.
Idris further revealed a major development in Nigeria’s public communication structure: the cadre-isation of Public Relations in the Federal Civil Service. Effective from December 2023, Public Relations is now a recognized professional cadre, replacing the former "Information Officer" designation with ‘Information and Public Relations Officer’ and ‘Executive Officer (Information and Public Relations)’.
“This is a major step in professionalising communication practice across all levels of government,” the minister added.
Honouring Communication Legends
The event also featured the conferment of Fellowship of the NIPR on distinguished Nigerians who have made outstanding contributions to the communication sector. Honourees included:
- Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives
- Dr. John Momoh, Chairman of Channels Media Group
- Chief John Nnia Nwodo, former Minister of Information
The summit drew a distinguished audience, including former governors, information ministers, and international representatives. Among them were Chief Segun Osoba, Prof. Jerry Gana, Labaran Maku, Frank Nweke Jnr, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and Gilbert Morton, Press Attaché of the U.S. Embassy, who delivered a goodwill message.
A Milestone for Communication and Leadership
With bold plans for a university, expanded public relations infrastructure, and media literacy initiatives, the NIPR is ushering in a new era for professional communication in Nigeria. The institute’s actions underscore a renewed commitment to integrity, leadership, and strategic communication as pillars for national transformation.