By: Felix Ikpotor
The Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) have lamented the upsurge of quacks and unlicensed persons operating as public relations officers to organisations and government agencies.
Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the NIPR, Rev’d Francis Asuk who stated this during a lecture to mark the World Public Relations Day held in conjunction with the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in Rivers State, blamed quacks operating in the sector of being responsible for the wrong perception often associated with PR.
He emphasized that only licensed professionals can effectively communicate and market government policies and organisational programmes to achieve set targets.
He noted that PR has moved beyond mere information disemmination to a strategic leadership role within organisations.
Asuk said: “We have observed that people who are not professionals, who are not chartered, who are not members, are secretly entering into the profession and creating confusion, creating all the wrong perceptions that sometimes come. If you are not a registered member of NIPR, you do not have the license to practice. And therefore, we encourage all those who want to be communication professionals, to properly register with the NIPR. The NIPR has made it possible and has created a robust platform to encourage all who are qualified to come in and practice and be trained”.
The Rivers NIPR chairman noted that the theme of the the 2026 World PR Day, “The Golden Age of Strategic Public Relations,” recognizes the critical role of strategic communications in addressing the complex social, economic, political, and developmental challenges of the the present time.
”It also reminds us that public relations has evolved beyond publicity to become a strategic management function that builds trust, shapes perception, strengthens institutions, and fosters sustainable relationships between organizations and their stakeholders, ” he added.
Asuk said for a developing economy such as Nigeria, strategic public relations is indispensable, stressing that sustainable development cannot be achieved without effective communication that encourages transparency, builds public confidence, promotes citizen engagement, and inspires active participation in governance and community development.
”As governments, businesses, and institutions navigate an increasingly dynamic communication environment, the deployment of strategic public relations has become essential for driving inclusion, managing reputation, mitigating conflict, and strengthening democratic governance,” he stated.
Recognising the socioeconomic opportunities in Rivers State and the Niger Delta, Asuk charged public relations practitioners to bride the information gap, foster dialogue, build consensus among diverse stakeholders, and support initiatives that promote peace, investment, sustainable development, and social cohesion.
Delivering the keynote lecture, Prof. Kenneth Nweke of the Department of Political Science, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, said the theme, “The Golden Age of Strategic Public Relations,” marks a major shift from traditional event management and media relations to transparent, effective communication in the digital age.
“Today’s public relations must focus on building trust for government, leadership and the business environment,” Nweke declared.
He lamented the deficit in both leadership and followership in Nigeria, urging governments to engage passionate professionals drive government policies rather than opportunists.
In a goodwill message, President of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku described the theme as confirmation of the profession’s evolution into a high-value strategic function at the highest levels of decision-making.
“Public relations practitioners are now boardroom strategists, reputation architects, and custodians of institutional credibility, shaping decisions at the highest levels of governance and leadership,”
Dr. Neliaku added that public relations has transcended its traditional support role to becoming a strategic developmental capital.
He called on practitioners to lead with insight, counsel with integrity, and build trust-based relationships that define strategic influence.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUOE) Professor Okechukwu Onuchuku who was represented at the event by the Registrar, Dr. Chinonye Ajie, appreciated the NIPR for bringing the programme to the university and pledged the institution’s continued support for the body’s activities.
