In a groundbreaking initiative that could reshape the landscape of professional communication in Nigeria, the Nasarawa State Government and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the nation’s first-ever University of Public Relations.
The MoU was signed in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, during a well-attended ceremony that brought together state officials, top executives of the NIPR, academics, media practitioners, and civil society leaders. The proposed university will be the first dedicated institution in sub-Saharan Africa focused exclusively on public relations and strategic communication education.
According to details shared at the signing event, the university will offer degree and diploma programs in public relations, media and communication studies, corporate communication, crisis and risk communication, digital media strategy, and reputation management. It will also provide professional certification and executive education tailored to the demands of Nigeria’s growing media and corporate environments.
Governor Abdullahi Sule, who signed on behalf of the Nasarawa State Government, described the partnership as “visionary and long overdue,” noting that public relations is central to effective governance, civic engagement, and private sector competitiveness.
“This is more than a university project it’s an investment in credibility, accountability, and nation-building,” Governor Sule stated. “We are proud to pioneer this initiative and look forward to positioning Nasarawa as a beacon of academic innovation and public trust.”
Dr. Ike Neliaku, President and Chairman of the NIPR Governing Council, said the initiative is a major step in addressing the long-standing professional gap in public relations education in Nigeria.
“Public relations has remained one of the most misunderstood and underutilized professions in Nigeria,” Dr. Neliaku said. “Through this university, we are creating a pipeline of highly trained communicators who can guide public discourse, corporate integrity, and national cohesion. This project is a legacy intervention.”
According to NIPR and government sources, the university is expected to begin construction within the next 12 months, pending the completion of regulatory processes with the National Universities Commission (NUC). Preliminary site assessments have already begun, and discussions are underway to secure international faculty partnerships and digital learning infrastructure.
The announcement comes amid increasing concerns over the spread of misinformation, digital disinformation, and the growing public distrust in institutions. Observers say a specialized institution for public relations could help cultivate a new generation of professionals capable of navigating these complex challenges with ethical and strategic insight.
Professor Grace Ijoma, a communication scholar from the University of Abuja who attended the event, called the project “a timely and strategic move,” adding that, “The intersection of communication, governance, and technology has never been more important. This university could become a continental model.”
Local communities also stand to benefit from the initiative. The state government projects that the university will generate hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, stimulate infrastructure development, and attract research funding and academic tourism to Nasarawa.
The NIPR has pledged to leverage its national and international networks to ensure the institution meets global academic and professional standards, including partnerships with universities in the United Kingdom, Canada, and South Africa.
As planning moves forward, both parties say they are committed to ensuring that the university is not just a symbol of academic prestige but a driver of ethical leadership, media literacy, and responsible communication in both public and private sectors.
source: businessday.ng
