NIPR, BPP collaborate to strengthen government communication

In a bid to improve the quality of communication and public relations in the country, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has partnered with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to blacklist unlicensed individuals and firms from government PR contracts. This strategic partnership aims to enforce stricter compliance with professional standards and procurement regulations […]

In a bid to improve the quality of communication and public relations in the country, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has partnered with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to blacklist unlicensed individuals and firms from government PR contracts.

This strategic partnership aims to enforce stricter compliance with professional standards and procurement regulations in the public communication space. According to Professor Emmanuel Dandaura, Vice President of NIPR, the activities of uncertified practitioners have posed a serious threat to the integrity of government communication and the national economy.

“The involvement of quacks in the communication domain has done a lot of damage,” Dandaura said. “We see government agencies advertising PR jobs and awarding them to unqualified firms. This must stop.”

The NIPR Act makes it a criminal offense for individuals or organizations without NIPR certification to bid for or execute public relations contracts. Dandaura urged the BPP to insist on certification as a mandatory requirement for all PR and communication-related procurements.

BPP Director General Dr. Adebowale Adedokun commended NIPR’s regulatory stance, affirming the Bureau’s commitment to professionalism in procurement. “Procurement is not merely transactional; it’s a tool for good governance,” Adedokun said.

The partnership will ensure that only certified practitioners handle communication briefs in the public sector, enhancing the quality of government communication and promoting good governance. Clear guidelines will be issued to implement this new requirement.

This development is expected to boost the professionalism and credibility of public relations in Nigeria, ultimately benefiting the country’s communication landscape.