NIPR warns against unlicensed PR practitioners

The Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has voiced strong concerns over the increasing number of unlicensed individuals practicing public relations. The institute warns that these "quacks" are not only damaging the profession's reputation but also misleading organizations.

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We have observed that people who are not professionals, who are not chartered, who are not members, are secretly entering into the profession and creating confusion, creating all the wrong perceptions that sometimes come.

Rev. Francis Asuk, Chairman of the NIPR's Rivers State chapter, highlighted these issues during a lecture for World Public Relations Day. He stressed that unqualified practitioners contribute to misconceptions about public relations and that only licensed professionals possess the credentials to manage strategic communication for governments and businesses. Asuk emphasized that PR has advanced beyond simple information dissemination to become a critical strategic leadership function.

"We have observed that people who are not professionals, who are not chartered, who are not members, are secretly entering into the profession and creating confusion, creating all the wrong perceptions that sometimes come," Asuk stated. He urged aspiring communication professionals to register properly with the NIPR, emphasizing that practicing without a license is not permitted.

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If you are not a registered member of NIPR, you do not have the license to practice. And therefore, we encourage all those who want to be communication professionals, to properly register with the NIPR.

The NIPR has established a platform for qualified professionals to register, receive training, and adhere to industry standards. The theme for World PR Day, "The Golden Age of Strategic Public Relations," underscores the growing importance of strategic communication in tackling contemporary social, economic, political, and developmental challenges. Asuk noted that strategic PR is vital for Nigeria's development, promoting transparency, public confidence, and citizen engagement.

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It also reminds us that public relations has evolved beyond publicity to become a strategic management function that builds trust, shapes perception, strengthens institutions, and fosters sustainable relationships between organizations and their stakeholders.

Asuk called on PR practitioners in Rivers State and the Niger Delta to actively bridge information gaps, foster dialogue, build consensus, and support initiatives that promote peace, investment, and sustainable development. He also highlighted the indispensable role of strategic public relations in driving inclusion, managing reputation, mitigating conflict, and strengthening democratic governance in an increasingly dynamic communication landscape.

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As governments, businesses, and institutions navigate an increasingly dynamic communication environment, the deployment of strategic public relations has become essential for driving inclusion, managing reputation, mitigating conflict, and strengthening democratic governance.