NLNG says it is committed to building Nigerian capacity as it launches its Train 7 Project Human Capital Development (HCD) Basic Training Supplementary Programme in Port Harcourt today.

The event, which took place in The Hotel Presidential Port Harcourt, was graced by officials from the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), including Mrs. Tarilate Teide-Bribena, Manager, Human Capital Development, alongside members of the NLNG Management Team, training facilitators, and the newest cohort of beneficiaries.

In his keynote speech, NLNG’s Nigerian Content Development Manager, Engr. Dagogo Buowari, (FNSE), described the programme as a milestone in NLNG’s broader commitment to achieving Nigerian Content targets and empowering the nation’s youth through skills-based development.

“This initiative further strengthens NLNG’s role in supporting Nigerian Content development, especially within the ongoing Train 7 Project. We are proud to sustain this momentum in collaboration with the NCDMB, whose visionary support continues to drive human capital development across Nigeria,” he stated.

The supplementary training is an expansion of the Train 7 HCD Basic Training Programme. It offers two distinct learning tracks designed to meet the diverse needs of participants: structured theoretical modules through classroom training, and practical, field-based experience through hands-on training. Each of these components follow a carefully developed curriculum with specific milestones to ensure that trainees graduate with both industry-relevant knowledge and applied technical competence.

“For the trainees, this is not just a learning programme—it is a launchpad for your professional journey,” Engr. Buowari noted. “I urge you to commit fully, complete all required modules, and take the certification process seriously. This experience could define your future.”

Beyond technical training, the programme is structured to holistically support the personal and professional development of each participant. Trainees will have access to healthcare services through Reliance HMO, ensuring their wellness throughout the training period.

They will also be enrolled in mentorship programmes designed to provide guidance from seasoned professionals in the oil and gas industry. Additionally, wellness and support services, including counselling and emotional support resources, will be available to help participants maintain balance and resilience. Regular performance reviews and career counselling sessions will ensure each trainee’s progress aligns with their long-term professional aspirations.

These offerings reflect NLNG’s commitment not only to skill acquisition but also to developing well-rounded professionals capable of thriving in dynamic and demanding environments.

Engr. Buowari, during the ceremony, also recognized the dedication of NLNG staff and project teams whose tireless work behind the scenes made the programme’s expansion a reality. “Many hands within NLNG have worked tirelessly to make today a success. From those present in this room to others handling business-critical operations elsewhere, we say thank you. Your efforts are contributing to a more sustainable and empowered Nigeria,” he remarked.

The Train 7 Project, a significant expansion of NLNG’s production capacity, continues to align with Nigeria’s national vision for local content, inclusive growth, and youth empowerment. Through initiatives such as this training programme, NLNG is reaffirming its purpose-driven mission of “Inspiring a Sustainable Future.”

 

 

Every May 27, we must pause to celebrate the dreams, energy, and potential of Nigeria’s greatest resource: our children. Children’s Day is more than a symbolic gesture; it is a powerful national reminder that the future we hope to build depends largely on the investments we make in our young people today.

 

As an organization, Airtel Nigeria believes that this future should be inclusive, innovative, and informed by the realities of a rapidly evolving world. For more than a decade, our Corporate Social Responsibility agenda has prioritised access to education and digital empowerment. We do this not just as corporate citizens, but as stewards of a future where technology and talent must work hand in hand to elevate Nigeria.

 

Reimagining Education for Every Child

 

In partnership with UNICEF, Airtel Nigeria has been a proud driver of the Reimagine Education initiative, a transformative programme that has been closing the digital divide in classrooms by ensuring Nigerian children, especially in underserved communities, can access quality digital learning through platforms such as the Nigerian Learning Passport (NLP). By enabling zero-rated websites and apps, digital infrastructure, and connectivity support to schools across multiple states, this partnership has already reached over 800,000 children and 17,000 teachers with practical tools for 21st-century teaching and learning.

 

Beyond infrastructure, we understand the human element of education. That is why our long-standing, and still growing, Adopt-a-School programme has not only rebuilt classroom blocks and provided teaching resources but also sponsored school fees, uniforms, and meals for students in disadvantaged communities. Rather than being seasonal, these efforts are sustained, intentional, and anchored in our belief that no child should be left behind.

 

Doubling Down on Youth Development in 2025

 

This year, Airtel Nigeria is reaffirming its commitment to the next generation in even bolder ways. In March 2025, we made a landmark donation of ₦1 billion to the Federal Government’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme, an ambitious initiative to train Nigerian youth in digital skills that are in high demand globally, from software development and cybersecurity to AI and data science.

 

Our support for 3MTT demonstrates a future-facing vision: education must not stop in the classroom. Nigeria’s young people need not just certificates, but competencies. They deserve access to modern skills that make them employable, entrepreneurial, and globally competitive. By backing programmes like 3MTT, we are helping lay the foundation for a workforce that can build and own the digital economy of tomorrow.

 

Partnerships for Impact

 

These commitments are not made in isolation. We continue to work closely with federal and state governments, schools, education agencies, and development partners to align our CSR projects with national goals. We understand that true impact lies in synergy, in finding where our strengths as a telecommunications leader can accelerate the country’s aspirations for inclusive education and national development.

 

In the coming months, we will expand our engagement with local schools through technology hubs, career mentorships, teacher training programmes, and community-led initiatives designed to inspire curiosity and cultivate excellence among school-age children across Nigeria.

 

Children First, Always

 

At Airtel Nigeria, we carry a simple truth in all we do: the future is already right here. It is sitting in our classrooms, logging in from tablet in a remote village, asking questions in brilliant language, and dreaming boldly without limits.

 

Children’s Day 2025 is a moment for everyone to recommit. To remember that giving a child access to knowledge is giving a nation access to greatness. That a skilled, educated child today becomes the innovator, journalist, teacher, engineer, or changemaker of tomorrow.

 

As we celebrate our children today, we must also rise to our responsibility to prepare them, not just with hope, but with tools. Not just with dreams, but with opportunities.

 

Source: FEMI ADENIRAN

It was another historic milestone for pan-African investor Aliko Dangote and the Dangote Industries Limited over the weekend, as they garnered three prestigious accolades at the 15th annual Brand Africa 100 awards, held at the iconic Africa Hall in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia—the birthplace of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU).

Dangote Industries Limited was named Most Admired African Brand, following an independent, consumer-led survey conducted across more than 30 African countries. The company was also inducted into the Brand Africa Hall of Fame, becoming the first African firm to receive this distinction. The induction recognises Dangote’s transformative impact on African consumers and its influential role in shaping a positive narrative for the continent.

President/Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his leadership in driving impactful industrialisation, establishing a world-class African brand, and reshaping the continent’s economic future through a benchmark, homegrown enterprise.

Joining Dangote Industries in the inaugural Hall of Fame were MTN, M-Pesa, Ethiopian Airlines, and South Africa, for consistently ranking among Africa’s most admired brands over the past 5 to 15 years and for building sustainable, globally respected brands.

Reacting to the awards, Group Chief Branding & Communications Officer, Dangote Industries Limited, Anthony Chiejina, said the honours reflect the unwavering commitment, excellence, and innovation that define the group’s journey. He added that they are a testament to the dedication of the company’s outstanding team, partners, and stakeholders, who continue to believe in the mission to drive sustainable development and economic growth across the continent.

“We also extend our heartfelt appreciation for the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to our Founder and President, Aliko Dangote for building a purposeful world-class industrial brand that has exceptionally transformed African lives and the African narrative. This accolade celebrates not only his visionary leadership but also his tireless efforts in transforming industries, creating opportunities, and championing African enterprise on the global stage. His legacy is an inspiration to generations of entrepreneurs and leaders across Africa,” he said.

Noting that the recognition would further inspire the company to push boundaries, empower communities, and deliver meaningful value across Africa and beyond, Chiejina reaffirmed Dangote Industries’ commitment to excellence, integrity, and transformative growth.

In his keynote address, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, Mr Claver Gatete, praised Aliko Dangote, the Hall of Fame inductees, and the Brand Africa laureates for advancing the African agenda. He highlighted the alignment between Brand Africa and the ECA’s mission to promote inclusive industrialisation, regional integration, and private sector-led growth. He also called for increased investment in youth-led innovation, regional value chains, and the establishment of a Pan-African Creative Innovation Fund to identify, finance, and globalise Africa’s most promising brands.

“I wish to particularly acknowledge MTN, Dangote Group, mPesa and Ethiopian Airlines for consistently maintaining their distinguished positions among the “Most Admired African Brands” category and continuing to set benchmarks in brand leadership, innovation and continental impact,” he said.

According to the organisers, the 2025 rankings reveal a stark contrast between rising African optimism and declining brand loyalty. While 68% of Africans expressed belief in the continent—up from 64% in 2024—only 11% of the Top 100 Most Admired Brands are African, marking a historic low and down from 14% in 2024. The report indicates the urgent need for homegrown brands to translate belief into consumer loyalty, and for Africans to more actively support Made-in-Africa products and enterprises.

“It is disappointing to see the sharp drop in African brands, which mirrors the ranking of non-African nations as the most influential in Africa,” says Thebe Ikalafeng, Founder and Chairman of Brand Africa. “It’s a wake-up call for Africa—and a barometer of the continent’s lagging industrialisation agenda. It’s not enough for Africans to say they believe in the continent—they must buy made-in-Africa. For that to happen, African brands must invest in R&D, continue to innovate, deliver quality, and use authenticity as a differentiator.”

The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has conferred an honorary fellowship on the Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo.

 

He was awarded the fellowship alongside two other distinguished individuals, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Tim Akano, MD/CEO of New Horizon Nigeria, during Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW) 2025 held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

 

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Fadolapo stated that the honor recognizes the synergy between the advertising and public relations sectors in promoting the growth of the marketing communication industry.

 

“For me, personally, this honor signifies that other industries and key stakeholders appreciate my contributions to the growth and improvement of the industry,” Dr. Fadolapo said. “It demonstrates their belief in the reforms ARCON is championing and shows that we are providing effective leadership to the advertising industry.”

 

He highlighted the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between ARCON, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), and the National Institute of Marketing Nigeria (NIMN), emphasizing the importance of a united front within the marketing communication industry.

 

“This induction is an endorsement, a collaboration, and an alignment with other sectoral groups, and it affirms that we are on the right path,” Dr. Fadolapo noted.

 

He further emphasized that ARCON and other sectoral groups are integral parts of the marketing communication ecosystem, with both public relations and advertising playing critical roles in communication strategy. The MoU, he explained, will facilitate collaboration and smoother transitions for public relations practitioners into the advertising industry, reducing bureaucracy and improving workflow.

 

“The curricula for both fields are closely related within the marketing communication industry. This collaboration will ensure greater synergy and smoother operations.”

 

The honorary fellowship underscores the increasing recognition of the interconnectedness between public relations and advertising, as well as the importance of regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders working together to promote excellence in the industry.

 

On his part, Tim Akano, MD/CEO of New Horizon Nigeria, expressed his gratitude for the honorary fellowship. He noted that, although he has received several awards in the past, the NIPR recognition is particularly meaningful due to the institute’s reputation as one of the most respected institutions in Nigeria and Africa.

 

“The fact that NIPR considered me alongside two other esteemed individuals for this award means a great deal to me,” Akano said.

 

Dr. Fadolapo attended Ogun State University, where he earned his first degree in Economics. He further obtained three master’s degrees: a Master of Science in Marketing (MSc.), a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA), and a Master’s in Legal Studies (MILS) from Babcock University, Illisan, Ogun State; the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State; and Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos, respectively.

 

He holds a PhD in Marketing with a specialization in Marketing Communications from Babcock University, Illisan-Remo, Ogun State. Dr. Fadolapo is a Fellow of the Advertising Profession, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), and the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN). He has been actively involved in the industry, serving as a member of the immediate past Governing Council of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) and as a member of the Executive Committee of the Heads of Advertising Sectoral Groups (HASG). Additionally, he has served as Secretary to various advertising industry organizations and bodies.

 

Following the recent reform of the advertising regulatory sector, the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) was renamed the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON). Dr. Fadolapo was appointed as the first Director-General of ARCON by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Prior to this, he was the fourth (4th) substantive Registrar/Chief Executive of APCON, appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, in August 2020. Under his leadership, ARCON continues to advance the regulation and growth of the advertising industry in Nigeria. He is a recipient of numerous awards and has facilitated many seminars, conferences, and symposiums.

Dr. Ike Neliaku has been re-elected as the President and Chairman of the Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), alongside Vice President Prof. Emmanuel S. Daudara from Nasarawa Chapter. They will steer the affairs of the council for the next two years, together with other new executives.

 

Neliaku, who is from the FCT Chapter, was re-elected at the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, tagged ‘Uyo 2025.’ This event was part of the annual Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW) 2025, held in Uyo. Former Chairman of the Lagos Chapter, Olusegun McMedal, and the current Chairman of the chapter, Comfort Nwankwo, were elected as Council members.

 

A total of 17 members were elected into the council through e-voting, which members praised as credible and demonstrative of the viability of e-voting in Nigeria.

 

The other newly elected council members include Mr. Akin Agbejule (Niger), Mrs. Olubunmi Adedoyin Badejo (FCT), Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha (Anambra), Mallam Bashir Adamu Chedi, and Dr. Saudat Salah Abdubaqi (Kwara).

 

Additional new members are Comrade Ini Ememobong (Akwa Ibom), Malam Kabir Ali Kobir (Bauchi), Pastor Paulinus Enyidah Nsirim (Rivers), Prof. Sarah Benjamin Lwahas (Plateau), Mr. Adaramola Temitope (Ogun State), Dr. Adewale Oladipo Oyekanmi (Osun), Chief Patrick Ogoegbunem Uka (Delta), and Sajoh Ahmed Ibrahim (Adamawa).

 

Since Dr. Neliaku assumed office, NIPR has undergone several reforms. Recently, Nigeria secured the bid to host the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF).

 

The NPRW 2025 edition, themed “Solid Minerals: A Solid Path to Nigeria’s Sustainable Economic Recovery – The Challenge for Public Relations,” brought together PR professionals, policymakers, and other stakeholders. The event was held at Ceedapeg Hotels, Uyo, from May 19–24, 2025.

What happens when legacy meets preparedness? What results from such a combination? Let us not be in a hurry to put forward any answers yet. Instead, let us consider first the opposite situation: When legacy meets unpreparedness.

The world abounds in examples of this distressing situation. A dynasty that has built wealth from generation to generation, with its illustrious heirs providing generational leadership, finds itself in a strange phase where an ill-prepared heir takes over the reins and in that same generation, not the next, wipes out the entire family fortune built over several generations.

We see the same thing with nations. History is replete with examples of great nations built by great leaders, which slid into oblivion when they were hit by arguably the greatest misfortune that ever befalls humanity – bad leadership. It is the reason American author and leadership expert John Maxwell asserts, “Everything rises and falls with leadership.”

As with nations, so with organisations. We see organisations that have thrived for decades and over several generations, get a new leader who is not prepared for such leadership, and the leader pushes the organisation to the brink of collapse.

Contrast this picture with the situation at Nigeria’s most enduring corporate organisation with the most amazing legacies of firsts, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, which witnessed a leadership transition about a year ago. Faced with a number of quality options in and outside the then management team, the decision-makers at the bank and its parent company FBNHoldings, now First HoldCo Plc, had to be clear-minded about who could become the new Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank Group.

Equally important as the need for continuity was the non-negotiable requirement for capacity to manage the ship of the 130-years-plus institution to sustain its enviable legacies and consolidate the gains made in recent years. The search was for someone with a steady head and hands (talk of risk control and mitigation), in addition to an excellent track record of sterling performance and achievements.

Fortunately, fate was on their side. They did not have to look outside. Right there before them was someone who understood all kinds of risks and how to control and mitigate them. He had been with FirstBank since 2016 when he joined as Group Executive / Chief Risk Officer. Then in January 2022 he was elevated to Executive Director / Chief Risk Officer and Executive Compliance Officer.

This man has given nearly three decades of his working life to the banking and financial services industry. He has under his belt a rich tapestry of cross-functional experience in credit risk management, financial planning and control, credit and marketing, and trade. His cross-functional exposure also includes corporate and commercial banking, agriculture financing, oil and gas, transportation, including aviation and shipping, and project financing

Meet Olusegun Alebiosu, the man history had prepared and the one decision-makers chose among the quality options. He was appointed substantive Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank Group in June 2024, having acted in that capacity since April 2024 when the former CEO left.

Determined to build on the bank’s legacies while navigating the ever-changing landscape of the financial services industry, Alebiosu has shown unwavering commitment to lead the bank through a transformative period that places emphasis on strategic consolidation, technological advancement and market expansion.

Alebiosu’s approach to sustaining the legacies of firsts at FirstBank, which has been at the vanguard of accelerating Nigeria’s digital payments as the first bank to issue over 13 million cards to customers, draws from his vast professional experience which began with Oceanic Bank Plc, now Ecobank Plc, in 1991. Between then and joining FirstBank in 2016, he had worked at Coronation Merchant Bank as Chief Risk Officer, at African Development Bank Group as Chief Credit Risk Officer and at United Bank for Africa as Group Head, Credit Policy and Deputy Chief Credit Risk Officer.

Under one year of his appointment as substantive CEO of FirstBank, Alebiosu’s strategic consolidation efforts have demonstrated that he is a worthy successor, not an ill-prepared or unprepared one, proving the decision-makers right. Understanding the critical role of its human capital in sustaining the bank’s legacies, Alebiosu has invested himself and the bank’s resources in promoting staff welfare.

A comprehensive review of the bank’s compensation structure was undertaken to position it within the 75th percentile of the industry, making the bank more retentive of, and attractive to, the best talents. The highest number of staff promotions across various grades in the last five years has happened under Alebiosu’s watch, with 1,654 employees being elevated in one single promotion cycle.

Under his leadership, over 2,186 new hires have been recruited across key functions and subsidiaries, with a large number of them deployed to the sales function to ensure that retail customers are adequately served. Staff are now more engaged based on the high employee engagement score of 86% achieved in the April 2025 WorkBuzz survey, indicating remarkable progress in the bank’s multi-pronged efforts to promote a positive and inclusive workplace culture.

This drive to reinforce a culture of inclusion and recognition has been accentuated by the launch of a group-wide culture transformation initiative with the goal of embedding the core values of integrity, excellence and innovation. It has also been strengthened by a renewed focus on inclusion, collaboration and high performance. Also contributing was the staging of a FirstBank Employee Appreciation Day 2025 featuring, among others, a personalised appreciation video message from the CEO to all employees across the group throughout Africa and beyond. The inclusion message is further boosted by the launch of the inaugural edition of the bank’s pioneering initiative, Mandarin Language School, to bolster the bank’s expansion in the Asian market.

Expansion is a critical plank in FirstBank’s new strategic planning horizon, under Alebiosu’s leadership. Taking off this 2025, the plan seeks to reinforce the bank’s market dominance across all operational regions and it includes deliberate expansion into new markets within and outside Africa.

Beyond geographical and horizontal expansion, Alebiosu’s plan has also targeted a skyward expansion. Or how else does one describe the groundbreaking ceremony in March 2025 for the bank’s new green-certified, 44-storey iconic head office building in Eko Atlantic City, Lagos State?

Alebiosu is also prioritising the acceleration of process automation in recognition of the importance of digital transformation. It is a massive push for technological advancement that includes adopting robotics technology and artificial intelligence at scale, to give the bank an unassailable competitive advantage among its peers in the industry.

The bank has deployed digital tools to enhance seamless account opening and optimised backend systems and customer service delivery. Two additional Digital Experience Centres (DXCs) have been launched – one at Lekki Admiralty Way, Lagos State and the other at its UNN branch, Nsukka, Enugu State. Also, the bank’s agent network has expanded to over 280,000, a 50,000 increase from the 230,000 agents it had in 2023.

As expected, shareholders, among other stakeholders, have been observing the strides the bank has been making under Alebiosu’s leadership, with a keen eye on the numbers. Fortunately, again, the bank’s results for the financial year ended December 2024 speak volumes, with after-tax profit of its parent company rising to the highest point it has reached in the last 12 years, according to the company’s latest financial statement.

In recognition of his achievements within such a short period and his exemplary leadership, Alebiosu was honoured at the World Business Outlook Awards as “Banking CEO of the Year – Nigeria 2025”. He has also been honoured with the “Special African Banking Leadership Award” by African Leadership Magazine. This was in 2024.

The story of Alebiosu’s leadership at FirstBank has clearly been one of preparedness meeting legacy. Working with the board and management team, he has consistently sustained the bank’s legacies and also consolidated its recent gains in ways that will ensure the gains keep compounding. FirstBank, more than ever before, is poised for greater intra- and intercontinental growth and impact in the years ahead.

Source: Aniekan Ezekiel

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s public relations sector gathered at the opening ceremony of the Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW) 2025, organized by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), to chart a new course for Nigeria’s image on both national and global stages. Under the theme “Solid Minerals: A Solid Path to Nigeria’s Sustainable Economic Recovery – The Challenge for Public Relations,” the event spotlighted strategies for enhancing Nigeria’s reputation amid ongoing economic reforms and international engagements.

*A New Dawn for Nigeria’s Global Image*

The event held in Uyo, featured significant announcements, including Nigeria’s upcoming hosting of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF). President and Chairman of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku, emphasized Nigeria’s readiness to showcase the country’s rich culture, vibrant music, exotic cuisine, and warm hospitality to the world. “At WPRF 2026, the world will savor Nigeria’s magnificent splendor, from our cuisine to our creativity,” he stated confidently. “Despite concerns about safety and tourism, Nigeria will present a compelling case for itself as a premier destination in Africa.”

Neliaku underscored the importance of proactive communication in shaping perceptions, sharing a recent experience where a simple question about Nigerian food became a metaphor for external perceptions. “The challenges of leadership in Nigeria are partly due to ineffective communication. Leaders need to share their visions openly and responsibly,” he said.

*Leadership and Rebranding through Strategic Appointments*

A major highlight was the installation of John Momoh, CEO of Channels Media Group, as the pioneer Chairman of the Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG)’s Body of Advisers. This strategic initiative by NIPR is dedicated to building and maintaining a positive national image. “Every negative post or harsh comment erodes our image,” said Momoh. “Let us instead share stories of innovation, resilience, and excellence within our borders, promoting constructive narratives that rebuild trust and credibility.”

Other notable appointments include Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, as Vice Chairman, and Mohammed Kudu Abubakar as Secretary. Dr. Momoh expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him and called on Nigerians to use social media responsibly, advocating for a united effort to reposition Nigeria’s narrative positively.

*Stakeholders Call for Positive Narratives and National Unity*

Throughout the event, government officials and industry leaders stressed the importance of positive storytelling. Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, highlighted how negative news hampers foreign investment. “Our state is safe, peaceful, and investment-friendly,” she affirmed, urging practitioners to leverage their expertise in fostering peace and promoting government initiatives.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Muhammed Idris, echoed this sentiment. “We need to speak good about our country,” he urged. “Constructive criticism is welcome, but we must focus on promoting Nigeria’s positive stories. Only then can we accelerate development and restore our national pride.”

*A Collective Responsibility for Nigeria’s Future*

Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, called for unity among all stakeholders. “Reforms may take time, but they are underway,” he stated. “All of us—government, media, citizens—must work together to build a better Nigeria.”

The event also paid tribute to distinguished members of the profession with posthumous awards, honoring their contributions to nation-building and the public relations field.

*Conclusion: A Vision for a Resilient Nigeria*

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Ike Neliaku emphasized the vital role of public relations in nation-building. “Our collective narratives shape perceptions. Every Nigerian has a role in telling our story—of resilience, innovation, and hope,” he said.

As Nigeria prepares to host the 2026 WPRF and strengthen its reputation management infrastructure, the stakeholders’ rallying cry is clear: to build a positive, credible, and inspiring national image that resonates both within and beyond our borders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The vibrant city of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, is set to host more than 1,000 delegates from across Nigeria and beyond, as the Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW) 2025 officially kicks off on Monday, May 19, 2025.

Organized by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), this year’s edition promises a dynamic and immersive five-day experience filled with knowledge sharing, strategic networking, and cultural celebration.

DAY 1 – Monday, May 19:
The week begins with the Public Relations Stakeholders’ Roundtable with Traditional Rulers, a strategic dialogue bridging culture and communication. This will be followed by the NPRW Undergraduates Forum, aimed at grooming the next generation of PR professionals.

Simultaneously, golf enthusiasts will gather for the NPRW Golf Kitty, adding a sporting flair to the day.

The evening will feature the Welcome Cocktail and Manifesto Night, where candidates for the NIPR Council election will engage delegates in an interactive forum.

DAY 2 – Tuesday, May 20:
The first full day of plenary and breakout sessions begins, featuring thought leaders and practitioners speaking on emerging trends and specialization in public relations.

A major highlight will be the Investiture of the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State as a Patron of NIPR, a recognition of his administration’s support for communication and development.

The day will conclude with “Ndia Ibom” , a Food and Drink Festival showcasing the rich culinary heritage of Akwa Ibom.

DAY 3 – Wednesday, May 21:

Sessions continue with more plenary and breakout tracks, diving deeper into critical sectors of PR including tech, health, security, governance, and integrated marketing.

The evening will celebrate local fashion and identity with the Ethnik Fashion Nite, spotlighting the state’s diverse fashion culture.

DAY 4 – Thursday, May 22:
The spotlight turns to the NIPR Annual General Meeting, including Council Elections to elect new national officers. The day will end on a high note with a Closing Gala/Happy Hour, offering delegates a chance to unwind and network in a relaxed setting.

DAY 5 – Friday, May 23:
Delegates will embark on a guided tour of Akwa Ibom, experiencing the state’s scenic beauty, tourism, and cultural attractions.

The conference’s keynote address will be delivered by renowned tax expert, Prof. Taiwo Oyedele, during the opening plenary.
Over the course of the week, sessions will be led by top communication scholars, consultants, and corporate leaders, including Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura, fnipr; Mr. Yakubu Lamai, mnipr; Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, fnipr; Mr. Ali-Balogun, fnipr; Ms. Tolulope Olorundero, mnipr; Barr. Chimdi Neliaku, mnipr; Maryam Sanusi, fnipr; Dr. Abdullahi Maiwada, mnipr; Dr. Adewale Oyekomi, mnipr; Prof. Saudat Abdul-Baqi, fnipr; Adetokunbo Modupe, mnipr; Dr. Monday Ashibogwu, fnipr; Mr. O’tega Ogra; Mr. Segun McMedal, mnipr; and Prof. Iyorza Stalinus, anipr.

According to Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, fnipr, Chairman of the NPRW 2025 National Planning Committee, “This year’s NPRW promises to be a convergence of ideas, people, and opportunities for our profession. From the roundtables to the cultural showcases, we are celebrating the essence and future of PR in Nigeria.”