NIPR Holds 2nd Nigeria Spokespersons Summit With Unveiling of Practice Code



The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has hosted a successful second edition of its Nigeria Spokespersons Summit (NSS) in Abuja where stakeholders made case for a more sanitised information ecosystem for nation-building. 

The two-day event from April 15-16 which held at Abuja Continental Hotel (formerly Sheraton hotel) was aimed at creating the right atmosphere for players in the information and communication space to exchange ideas, examine evolving trends, and develop a new pathway towards more effective and ethical public means of information dissemination.

The 2nd NSS was also an opportunity to unveil the Nigeria Spokespersons Charter and Practice Code put together by the NIPR with the endorsement of Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks and Society of Nigerian Broadcasters. 

Welcoming the guests, the President and Chairman of Council of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku said the Nigeria Spokespersons Summit was created as a knowledge-sharing platform for communication professionals across sectors.

He said the second edition of the summit is unique, adding, “We are using the occasion to confer a Fellowship of the Institute on deserving Nigerians based on merit and outstanding performance.”

He continued, "To say that I am pleased to welcome you will be an understatement. I am really. I feel excited and very delighted to welcome all of you, gathered from different parts of the nation to be part of history, some at short notice, yet you found time to join us to celebrate an important sectoral group of not just the public relations profession, but essential component of nation building the Spokespersons.

"The Nigeria Spokespersons Summit (NSS) is a platform that brings together Spokespersons, communication experts, public and corporate affairs personnel, perception managers, reputation builders, public communication professionals, from the public, private, and the civil society to exchange ideas, share. experiences, foster collaboration, sharpen knowledge, dissect new trends, learn new tools, and acquire new skills, for their practice". 

The NIPR boss said the Nigeria Spokespersons Charter and Practice Code (SCPC) is an instrument created to provide professional support and ethical guidance in the conduct, actions and activities of spokespersons who represent organisations, public figures, brands or institutions in Nigeria. 

Declaring the event open, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the NIPR as a “compelling imprimatur” of professionalism in Nigeria’s public relations practice.

He warned of the dangers of misinformation, disinformation, and fake news, stressing the need for media and information literacy as an essential civic skill.

“Public officers and citizens alike must develop the capacity to evaluate media messages and verify authenticity before sharing or reacting,” the minister said.

The Minister announced that Nigeria is on the verge of establishing the world’s first UNESCO-approved Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Institute, located within the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Abuja.

He also noted recent institutional reforms within the civil service, including creating a standalone cadre for Public Relations Officers—a milestone achieved through collaboration between the ministry and the NIPR.

“As part of our five pillars guiding public communication under this administration, the restoration of public trust remains a top priority,” he added.

He reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to free speech and responsible creative expression, praising the current and past leadership of the NIPR for their contributions to national development and professional excellence, singling out the current President, Dr. Neliaku, for “ambitious and innovative” leadership. 

The Special Guest of Honour, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen while speaking emphasised the urgent need for ethical leadership communication to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.

“After 25 years of uninterrupted democracy, Nigeria has reached a point where our communication of leadership and policy must reflect the maturity of our democratic process", he stated. 

According to the Speaker, democracy is not just government for or by the people but “government with the people,” requiring active, ongoing collaboration between the governed and those in leadership.

He warned that the spread of misinformation undermines democratic values and emphasised that public relations should not be viewed as “spin or propaganda” but as a vehicle for truth.

“When communication is rooted in integrity, citizens are empowered to make informed decisions and hold leaders accountable,” Mr Tajudeen stated. “Deceptive practices only foster cynicism and erode the social contract.”

The Speaker who unveiled the SCPC commended the leadership of NIPR for  initiatives such as the Nigerian Spokespersons Charter and Practice Code and the new digital membership system, which promotes ethical standards and inclusivity in the profession.

He also highlighted ongoing efforts by the House of Representatives to demystify legislative processes and improve citizen engagement. These, he said, include the “State of the House” forum, Youth Town Halls, and the annual Legislative Open Week.

“Through these initiatives, we are giving young people and underrepresented groups a voice in governance. Our Youth Advisory Council includes representation from every geopolitical zone and individuals with disabilities”, he stated. 

Highlight of the Day 1 of the event was the comferment of Honorary Fellowship of the Institute on the Speaker, Tajudeen, the Chairman, Channels Group, Dr. John Momoh and former Minister of Information, Chief John Nia Nwodo for being icons of reputation. 

There was also Ministerial Clinic where the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris along with his predecessors including, Alh. Lai Mohammed, Frank Nweke II, Prof. Jerry Gana, Chief John Nnia Nwodo and HE Labaran Maku shared ideas with the participants on how they managed the nation's reputation while in office. 

The second day of the event started with a presentation by the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele where he said that the Tax Reform Bill will curb poverty and empower ordinary Nigerians.

He expressed strong optimism about the sweeping changes the bill would bring, especially for the low-income earners and small businesses across the country.

He said that key highlights of the reform included the exemption of low-income earners from paying the Personal Income Tax (PAYE) and the removal of VAT from basic essentials such as food, education, and healthcare.

Oyedele added that it included a zero per cent Corporate Income Tax (CIT) rate for small businesses, adding that the bill had great benefits, especially for the masses, although it was welcomed with misconceptions and attacks.

He said, “This is because the issues of tax and taxation are not the most attractive to the ordinary person because it is hard to part with your money.

“It is even harder when you part with your money, and you cannot tell what exactly the government is using it for that benefits you.”

Oyedele said the approach for the reform was to try and understand what the issues were and where the problems were coming from.

He added, “Then we will use data to engage with the people and design a solution for Nigeria that is made by Nigerians for the Nigerian people.

“That is exactly what we have done with the tax reform bill which is now nearing passage for the President to sign.”

It was part of efforts to deeply enlighten citizens on what the policy entails, especially spokespersons who also have the responsibility of informing other citizens. 

The 2025 edition of the Nigeria Spokespersons Summit wrapped up with an award ceremony where deserving spokespersons were recognised for their professional excellence.