ABUJA/Nigeria: In a move poised to redefine standards within Nigeria’s legislative bureaucracy, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) convened a strategic meeting in Abuja on February 24, 2026.
The high-level dialogue brought together the leadership of both institutions in a forward-looking conversation centred on workforce competence, institutional reform and the entrenchment of global best practices in legislative communication and administration.
Leading the NIPR delegation, Acting President, Prof. Emmanuel Samu Dandaura, underscored the centrality of professionalism in legislative operations, insisting that a modern legislature must be supported by a competent, ethically grounded and strategically trained workforce. He maintained that continuous training for legislative aides and staff of the Commission was not optional but imperative for improving service delivery and deepening public confidence in democratic institutions.
Prof. Dandaura noted that Nigeria’s hosting of the Global Alliance World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) Abuja 2026 alongside the 2026 Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting of the African Public Relations Association (APRA) presents a unique opportunity to showcase the country’s legislative system on the global stage.
According to him, the World Public Relations Forum will feature a dedicated legislative session coordinated by the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures, as well as an exhibition chronicling Nigeria’s legislative history, parliamentary evolution and key democratic milestones.
“The Legislature is a very important arm,” Prof. Dandaura stated, adding that the global gathering would serve as evidence that Nigeria’s institutions are evolving and responsive to contemporary governance demands.
He further stressed the importance of reputation consciousness within the legislative sector, warning that the conduct of lawmakers, both locally and internationally, has direct implications for Nigeria’s global image. He urged the Commission to ensure that only qualified and regulated professionals manage its information and reputation framework in compliance with the NIPR Act. He also canvassed structured career progression and full cadre development for public relations officers within the legislative service to preserve institutional memory and entrench professionalism.
Chairman of the National Planning Committee of WPRF Abuja 2026, Dr. Suleiman Haruna, assured that the Forum’s programme content was being designed to deliver premium value to participants. He called on agencies under the National Assembly to actively participate in what he described as a landmark event for Nigeria’s governance and professional community.
Responding, the Executive Chairman of NASC, Chief Saviour Enyiekere, congratulated Prof. Dandaura and the NIPR leadership on winning the Global Alliance Award for Best Global Public Relations Association 2025, describing the recognition as a remarkable achievement not only for the Institute but for Nigeria’s broader professional landscape.
Chief Enyiekere also commended the Institute for securing the hosting rights for the World Public Relations Forum 2026, noting that the event would significantly enhance Nigeria’s global standing by providing international stakeholders firsthand insight into the country’s governance institutions and people.
He assured that the Commission under his leadership would prioritise the professionalisation of its information and reputation management systems and pledged NASC’s full support towards the successful hosting of the WPRF Abuja 2026 and the APRA Conference/AGM scheduled for November 15–21, 2026.
The meeting was attended by members of the National Assembly Service Commission representing the six geopolitical zones, alongside a broad NIPR delegation including the Registrar, Chief Uzoma Onyegbadue; Co-Chairman of the WPRF Planning Committee, Mr. Yakubu Lamai; Council Members Sanusi Maryam, Ahmed Sajoh and Badejoh Olubunmi; as well as Dr. Ebere Emeribe, Dr. Tope Ojeme, Dr. Kudu Abubakar, Mrs. Princess Tiwalade Fapohunda, Dr. Emmanuel Onchono, Mr. Duke Imandu, Ms. Alex Eke and Mr. Magaji A. Yakubu.
The engagement is widely regarded as a structured step toward strengthening Nigeria’s legislative support architecture, aligning administrative systems with international standards in communication, leadership development and professional accountability while positioning the National Assembly Service for greater global visibility and institutional credibility.
