Uche Cecil Izuora
The President of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), Dr. Bola Joko Bayo‑Ajayi, was formally inducted as a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) during a vibrant and high‑profile ceremony on Thursday, 23 April 2026, in Kaduna. The event was a key highlight of the 3rd Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW 2026), underscoring growing synergy between Nigeria’s leading marketing and public relations institutions.
Dr. Bayo‑Ajayi described the occasion as a profound and professionally uplifting experience, praising the ceremony’s solemnity and excellence. “The experience was profound, beginning right from the procession,” she said. “The quality surrounding the induction of fellows is very high, and the significance of this to the industry where we practice is quite enormous.”
Using the platform, she advocated for a more integrated approach to professional practice in Nigeria, stressing that marketing, communications, and allied fields ultimately operate within the same ecosystem. “I believe that marketing is one, irrespective of different segments,” she remarked. “My participation in these industry activities is my own way of identifying with everyone to achieve a common purpose. It is about how we work together to strengthen our collective impact.”
She also highlighted the strategic importance of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between NIMN and NIPR, noting that her presence in Kaduna was a direct outcome of the partnership. “I am here in connection with the MoU that we signed,” she said. “The essence of that agreement is to cover multiple areas of mutual interest and to ensure that our professional standards continue to rise in tandem.”
The induction ceremony featured a distinguished lineup of speakers and fellow inductees. NIPR President Dr. Ike Neliaku described the institute as an “icon of reputation,” pointing to one of the world’s most robust frameworks for measuring organisational reputation. He explained that the 109 new inductees, including fellows, were carefully selected in line with global best practices.
Among the notable figures inducted alongside Dr. Bayo‑Ajayi were the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, and the Minister of State for Works, Hon. Bello Goronyo. Rt. Hon. Kalu charged the new fellows to use their expertise to combat misinformation, stressing that Nigeria’s future depends on institutions that communicate effectively, listen more, and serve with sincerity.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani was also honoured with a Fellowship and designated the World PR Forum Governance Ambassador, further elevating the state’s role in the country’s communications agenda.
As the NIPR prepares to host the World Public Relations Forum in Abuja later in the year, the induction of leaders like Dr. Bayo‑Ajayi signals a new era of inter‑disciplinary excellence and deeper collaboration across Nigeria’s marketing, public relations, and governance ecosystems.