NPRW 2026: BAJULAIYE HARPS ON CONTINUOUS TRAININGS, EXPOSURE FOR SELF-DEVELOPMENT …
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Public Relations Practitioners across Nigeria plus an array of International guests recently converged on Kaduna State for the annual Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW 2026) organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) tagged: “Croc City 2026”, and themed: “Food Security: From Policy Paper to Public Plates; the Imperatives of Public Relations”, was held at the newly built Brigadier Abba Kyari Banquet Hall, Kaduna, commissioned by the Vice-President, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, from April 19th to 25th 2026.
In his remarks on the sidelines of the NPRW, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Olanrewaju Bajulaiye, who led the contingent of the Public Relations Practitioners from the Ministry to the event, noted that the essence of attending conferences such as this is to be trained, re-trained, and keep abreast with international best practices as far as Public Relations practice is concerned.
He, therefore, urged Public Affairs Professionals to ensure that they expose themselves to such high-level conferences and trainings from time to time, which would help them hone their skills as Public Relations experts because learning is a continuum.
“We chose to have more of our people at the NPRW conference because the visionary Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu is very much interested and intentional in developing human capacity, a charge which he gave to Permanent Secretaries. Therefore, we thank him profoundly for making it possible for us to attend this conference”, he said.
Speaking further, Bajulaiye said the takeaways from the NPRW would also help Public Affairs Officers improve their jobs and urged them to personally train themselves, as they would be the better for it going forward. He reiterated that Public Affairs Officers must find time and spend money to train themselves, “As Professionals, you must constantly upgrade your skills and be in tune with global best practices.”
On his part, the Chairman, Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Samuel Ayetutu noted that this year’s conference is an improvement on the ones previously held. He explained further that the first Nigerian Public Relations Week (NPRW) was held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State hosted the event in 2025.
“This year, we came to Kaduna – the Croc City, so the event’s getting bigger and bolder year in, year out and participation and excitement on the part of members of the Institute is highly commendable. For us in the Ministry of Information and Strategy, it has also been a refreshing time, a learning curve with networking opportunities – even for those who have not yet come into the fold as registered practitioners.
“They saw firsthand how Public Relations was represented in its best form possible in Kaduna. The event was an opportunity to showcase the Institute and make every stakeholder understand how much value this profession brings to society – especially at this particular time when Nigeria is facing a critical issue in the area of reputation so the NPRW brought to the fore other things that has to do with what PR can actually provide solutions to. Generally speaking, it’s been a great time,” Ayetutu said.
Speakers at the NPRW including the Keynote Speaker, Ambassador Dr. Brylyne Chitsunge, a renowned Pan-African Parliament Ambassador for Food Security and CEO of Elpasso Farms in South Africa and veteran Nigerian Broadcaster, Moji Makanjuola, MFR, fnipr (who turned 70 on Day Two of the conference) took turns to dissect the importance of sustainable food security as the bedrock of national growth and development. They added that agriculture and food sustainability are not gender-specific roles, hence, all hands must be on deck to ensure food security in Nigeria.
During the 2026 Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW), 107 persons were inducted into the NIPR as associates (anipr) and took the Oath of Allegiance, while 19 distinguished personalities – including former Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi and Veteran Broadcaster, Moji Makanjuola became Fellows (fnipr).
In the same vein, Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, CON, was decorated as Patron, NIPR Kaduna State Chapter, while the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Honourable Benjamin Kalu, CFR, PhD; Director-General National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Prof. Ayo Omotayo and Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, were among the eminent Nigerians decorated as Honorary Fellows of the Institute in the climax of the week-long event.
The 2026 Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW) also featured activities such as Lagos Hangout, Suya/Cultural Night, Gala Night as well as a guided Tour of Kaduna.
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