The Nigerian government has taken significant steps to enhance public relations practice in the country, both domestically and internationally.

Recently, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management to establish a degree-awarding academy for public relations in Nigeria. Additionally, Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, a Nigerian, was elected Secretary-General of the African Public Relations Association (APRA).

Furthermore, the Federal Civil Service has re-designated the Information Officer Cadre to ‘Information and Public Relations Officer Cadre’ and the Executive Cadre to ‘Executive Officer (Information and Public Relations)’, recognizing public relations as a distinct profession. The NIPR played a crucial role in achieving this milestone.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, expressed the government’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for the communications industry to thrive.

He noted that Nigeria has been a pioneer in professionalizing public relations in Africa, with Zambia following suit last year, and Kenya currently considering similar legislation.