The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nasarawa State Government to establish the University of Public Relations and Leadership (UPRL), the first institution of its kind globally dedicated solely to public relations and leadership studies.
According to a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday, the MoU was officially signed on Monday during a ceremony in Abuja. The university will be located in Gudi, Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, and is scheduled to be formally unveiled in November 2026, when Nigeria hosts the World Public Relations Forum (WPRF).
Speaking at the event, NIPR President Ike Neliaku described the project as a groundbreaking initiative supported by 126 countries under the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, the international body representing public relations institutions worldwide.
“This is more than a Nigerian project—it’s a global one,” Neliaku said. “The Global Alliance could have chosen any country, but they selected Nigeria because of our leadership and dedication to the profession.”
Neliaku emphasised that the UPRL aims to address Africa’s persistent leadership and governance challenges by producing leaders skilled in both communication and responsible governance.
“Our goal is to train leaders who communicate effectively and govern wisely. Leadership and communication are inseparable,” he stated.
Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, who officially handed over land approval documents for the university’s site, pledged his government’s full commitment to the project’s successful execution.
“Locating this university in historic Gudi is a milestone,” Sule said. “Even before any buildings are erected, this institution has already received the endorsement of 126 countries—a certificate that weighs more than 85 kilograms.”
Governor Sule stressed that the MoU would not be treated as a mere formality.
“Too often in this country, MOUs are signed and forgotten. Of the over 25 MOUs signed during my first term, only about 25 per cent were implemented. I want this one to be different. We’re not just signing papers; we’re handing over land, conducting surveys, and fencing the site,” he said.
The governor also confirmed that funding for the project has been allocated in the state budget and instructed the Commissioner for Lands to expedite surveying and perimeter fencing work. He stressed the importance of having visible infrastructure in place before international delegates arrive later this year.
“This is about legacy, not politics,” Sule added. “President Tinubu deserves recognition for fiscal reforms that have made transformative projects like this possible for states like ours.”
The vision for UPRL was first articulated in September 2024 by former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, who urged the NIPR to uphold world
