NIGER NIPR BOOK  READING:  Author Champions Professional Licensing to Strengthen Credibility of PR Practice in Nigeria

By Mahmud Abdullahi MNIPR, Chairman Niger State Chapter of NIPR.

An author and public relations practitioner, Ahmed Balarabe Sa’id, MNIPR, has called on communication practitioners and aspiring professionals to embrace professional registration, licensing and ethical standards as critical measures for strengthening the credibility, accountability and future of public relations practice in Nigeria.

Sa’id made the call at a public reading of his book, Aren’t We All PR People? A Frank Guide for Beginners and Practitioners, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Niger State Chapter, at the IBB Pen House, NUJ Secretariat, Tunga, Minna.

He urged practitioners to identify with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, fulfil the prescribed professional requirements, undergo the necessary induction and obtain the appropriate licence to practise, stressing that professional recognition and regulation are essential to maintaining standards and public confidence in the profession.

The author explained that his motivation for writing the book was driven by the need to broaden public understanding of public relations and challenge the misconception that the profession is limited to publicity, image management and media relations.

He described public relations as a strategic discipline anchored on truth, courage, ethical responsibility and effective relationship management, noting that practitioners must demonstrate integrity, uphold professional values and have the courage to communicate the truth even in challenging circumstances.

Addressing the perception that a degree in Mass Communication is a prerequisite for becoming a public relations professional, Sa’id clarified that individuals from other academic disciplines could also pursue careers in the field by meeting the professional requirements established by NIPR.

He encouraged young people and aspiring practitioners not to allow their academic backgrounds to restrict their professional ambitions but to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Institute to acquire the requisite knowledge, professional recognition and credentials.

He further identified ethical listening, message clarity, message verification, cultural literacy and digital literacy as essential competencies for contemporary public relations practice.

According to him, effective public relations goes beyond transmitting information to understanding audiences, listening to stakeholders and communicating messages clearly in ways that promote mutual understanding, build trust and strengthen relationships between organisations and their publics.

On the growing influence of technology and new media, the author observed that the changing communication environment requires practitioners to continuously update their skills, embrace innovation and remain committed to professional ethics.

He noted that although digital platforms have expanded opportunities for public engagement and information dissemination, they have also increased the responsibility of practitioners to verify information, exercise sound judgement and guard against the spread of misinformation.

Sa’id also emphasised continuous learning as a fundamental requirement for professional competence, urging students, young practitioners and established professionals to cultivate the habit of deliberate reading.

He maintained that the secret to deeper professional knowledge and intellectual development lies in the text, stressing that practitioners must look beyond workshops and seminars and make reading an integral part of their professional growth.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Niger State Council, Dr. Abu Nmodu, called for stronger synergy between NIPR and NUJ to promote professional standards, improve information management and address emerging challenges in the communication industry.

Dr. Nmodu observed that journalism and public relations operate within closely related professional spaces, particularly in information gathering, processing, management and dissemination.

He advocated more regular engagements, knowledge sharing and collaborative initiatives between the two professional bodies, noting that stronger institutional relationships would contribute to the development of a more credible and effective communication environment.

Also speaking, the Director of Public Relations, Nigerian Hydro Power Producing Areas Development Commission (NHYPADEC), Malam Nura Wakili, stressed the need for professional reputation management to be accorded the seriousness it deserves.

He observed that reputation is a critical asset for individuals, organisations and institutions, requiring deliberate management, strategic communication and sustained professional commitment.

He cautioned against reducing reputation management to publicity and occasional image-building exercises, maintaining that it must be treated as a continuous professional responsibility anchored on credibility, consistency, ethical conduct and effective stakeholder engagement.

A major highlight of the event was a fireside conversation coordinated by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Niger State Ministry of Information and Orientation, Malam Yunusa Abugi.

The interactive session examined the central arguments of the book, with the moderator taking the author through salient issues that underscore the importance of the publication to contemporary public relations practice.

The conversation explored the distinction between everyday communication and professional public relations, the place of ethics in reputation management, the importance of professional regulation, and the growing influence of technology and new media on institutional reputation and public perception.

The session also examined the responsibilities of communication professionals in building institutional credibility, managing stakeholder relationships and maintaining public trust in an increasingly complex information environment.

Participants were encouraged to appreciate that while communication is a universal human activity, professional public relations requires specialised knowledge, ethical discipline, strategic thinking and accountability.

The engagement brought together communication professionals, media practitioners, students and other stakeholders, including the NIPR Chairman, Niger State Chapter, the Head of the Public Relations Office, NHYPADEC, students from Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna, students from Justice Fati Lami Institute of Legal Studies, staff of the Niger State Ministry of Information and Orientation, and Prestige FM.

The participation of students provided an opportunity for aspiring professionals to gain insight into the ethical responsibilities, professional expectations and competencies required to build successful careers in public relations.

The event reinforced the importance of professional regulation, continuous learning and inter-institutional collaboration in strengthening the credibility and future of public relations practice in Nigeria.

It concluded with a book-signing session by the author and group photographs with participants and invited guests.