Abuja, Sept. 12 — The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) on Friday inducted 422 new members into the body, cautioning them to uphold integrity and resist using their skills to manipulate public perception.
The new inductees, drawn from diverse sectors across the country, were admitted during the institute’s third quarter induction ceremony in Abuja.
Established by Decree No. 16 of 1990 (now an Act of the National Assembly), the NIPR remains the sole regulatory body for the practice of public relations in Nigeria. For years, the institute has expressed concern over quacks and uncertified individuals managing communication for government institutions and political figures, often spreading propaganda and misinformation.
Speaking at the event, NIPR National President Dr. Ike Neliaku told the inductees that membership of the institute was a commitment to truth and professionalism, not a licence to manipulate.
> “I am calling you guardians of trust in this distracted era,” Neliaku said.
“Our nation is going through challenges, and everybody is crying for a new Nigeria. You have taken a responsibility to stand tall as professionals who must use communication to good use, not for manipulation.”
He also warned ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) against engaging uncertified practitioners, noting that sanctions would apply to those who defy regulations.
Also addressing the gathering, the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Jibrin Ndace, urged the new members to deploy their platforms in reshaping Nigeria’s image globally.
> “We must be very deliberate and intentional about telling our own story, because others are busy telling theirs,” he said.
“Public relations is not just for organisations, but also vital for government, communities, and individuals. There is a thin line between criticism and condemnation. When you condemn your country, you are also diminishing its value on the global stage.”
Friday’s warning, observers say, is part of the institute’s broader effort to restore professionalism, truth, and credibility to the PR industry in Nigeria.
