NIPR Re-Elects Neliaku, Dandaura at NPR Week

NIPR Re-Elects Neliaku, Dandaura to Deepen PR Reforms

In what is widely regarded as a vote of confidence and continuity, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has re-elected Dr. Ike Neliaku and Professor Emmanuel Dandaura as President and Vice President, respectively, for a second term. Their reelection took place at the 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM), held during the ongoing Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The NIPR, established in 1963 and chartered by Decree No. 16 of 1990 (now an Act of the National Assembly), serves as the regulatory body for public relations practice in Nigeria. Under the stewardship of Dr. Neliaku and Prof. Dandaura, the Institute has experienced a renaissance, marked by innovation, increased national relevance, and strategic repositioning of the profession.

A Legacy of Strategic Reform

Since assuming office in 2023, the Neliaku-Dandaura administration has pushed forward reforms to revitalise public relations in Nigeria. One of their most lauded achievements is the introduction of the Nigerian Public Relations Week (NPRW), an annual convergence of industry professionals, policymakers, academics, and international delegates. This platform is quickly becoming the largest gathering of PR professionals in sub-Saharan Africa and has positioned Nigeria as a thought leader in global communication practice.

Additionally, their tenure has been characterised by:

• Revival of dormant state chapters of the NIPR
• Increased professional certification drives, leading to higher membership engagement
• Youth inclusion and mentorship programmes aimed at grooming the next generation of PR professionals
• Strategic collaborations with both government agencies and international PR bodies
• Enhanced media visibility and reputation management for the Institute

The reelection of Neliaku and Dandaura signals the Institute’s commitment to sustaining these reforms and advancing the PR profession in Nigeria and beyond.

Expanded Council: Broadening Representation

In addition to re-electing its top leadership, the AGM also saw the emergence of new Council Members, individuals drawn from across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, enhancing the Institute’s representational breadth. Some notable additions to the NIPR Council include:

• Mrs. Comfort Nwankwo (Lagos)—Current Chairman, Lagos Chapter
• Olusegun McMedal (Lagos)—Immediate Past Chairman, Lagos Chapter
• Mr. Akin Agbejule (Niger)
• Mrs. Olubunmi Adedoyin Badejo (FCT)
• Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha (Anambra)
• Mallam Bashir Adamu Chedi (NIPR Fellow)
• Dr. Saudat Salah Abdubaqi (Kwara)
• Comrade Ini Ememobong (Akwa Ibom)
• Malam Kabir Ali Kobir (Bauchi)
• Pastor Paulinus Enyidah Nsirim (Rivers)
• Prof. Sarah Benjamin Lwahas (Plateau)
• Mr. Adaramola Temitope (Ogun)
• Dr. Adewale Oladipo Oyekanmi (Osun)
• Chief Patrick Ogoegbunem Uka (Delta)
• Sajoh Ahmed Ibrahim (Adamawa)

This newly expanded Council is expected to strengthen NIPR’s strategic oversight, regional participation, and policy execution.

The Road Ahead for NIPR

With a renewed mandate, Dr. Neliaku and Prof. Dandaura are poised to deepen ongoing reforms and embark on more ambitious goals. A key area of focus includes advancing legislative advocacy for media regulation and PR ethics, alongside enhancing data and research capacity for industry-driven insights.

The Institute also intends to:

• Build digital training platforms for skill development
• Expand the NPRW into a continental PR conference
• Create industry-linked certification programmes
• Advocate for the inclusion of PR in national education policy

Their leadership continues to underscore a vision for a more respected, professionalised, and development-driven public relations sector in Nigeria.