Public relations professionals have urged tertiary institutions across Nigeria to strengthen their communication systems to enhance institutional transformation, national unity, and global competitiveness.
The charge was delivered at the 5th National Conference of Public Relations Professionals in Tertiary Institutions, hosted by the Bayero University, Kano (BUK).
The conference, with the theme: “Advancing Institutional Transformation through Strategic Public Relations in Higher Education,” drew participants from universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and other tertiary institutions nationwide.
A lecturer in BUK’s Mass Communication Department, Dr. Muhammad Haruna, said public relations practitioners must intentionally project positive narratives about Nigeria to counter misinformation.
He noted that many countries that allowed negative narratives to dominate struggled to recover.
“A lot of positive things are happening in Nigeria. Let the story we tell be positive, especially by youths using social media. You have a responsibility to ensure the country remains united,” he said.
Chairman of PR Professionals in Tertiary Institutions, Peter Oyeneye, underscored the importance of networking and idea-sharing among practitioners, while emphasizing that public relations is distinct from propaganda.
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He cited the late Professor Dora Akunyili as an example of credible information management.
President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku, disclosed that Nigeria will host the World Public Relations Forum in Abuja in November 2026, making it the first West African country to do so.
He said the event would attract delegates from more than 100 countries, providing an opportunity for Nigeria to reshape its global image.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services) of BUK, Prof. Aliyu Mu’azu highlighted BUK’s rising global profile, noting its ranking as Nigeria’s third-best university and first in international outlook in the 2025 Times Higher Education ranking.
He attributed the achievements to sustained investment in strategic communication and stakeholder engagement.
