NIPR Seals MoU With Nasarawa State Government on University Project
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) on Monday, 7th July, 2025 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nasarawa State Government on the establishment of a tertiary institution to be known as the University of Public Relations and Leadership (UPRL).
The university to be sited in Gudi, Akwanga local government area of the State will be the first tertiary institution to have the component of Public Relations and Leadership in the world.
With over 120 countries, who are members of Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, the umbrella body of PR bodies across the world backing the university, it is poised to commence operations November 2026 when Nigeria will also host World Public Relations Forum (WPRF).
Speaking during the official MoU signing at Governor's Lodge, Asokoro Abuja, NIPR President, Dr. Ike Neliaku described the varsity as a global project.
"This is a project being driven by Global Alliance itself. It could have gone to any other country but because of their love for Africa, they brought it here. Then on the account of the strength Nigeria demonstrated ahead of others who are willing to host the university, Global Alliance decided to work with us", he stated.
Dr. Neliaku further stated that the project is a practical approach by the Institute in contributing towards addressing leadership and governance challenge in Africa which he said has remained the bane of the development on the continent.
The MoU maps out a number of benefits to the host state, including at least 20 scholarship slots yearly for qualified indigenes, with each of the 13 local government areas represented when the institution takes off.
It also offers 50 concessionary admission slots annually for qualified candidates sponsored by Nasarawa State government, with representation from all the local government areas.
Dr. Neliaku further stated that the project will help in addressing leadership gap in Africa which he said is the bane of the continent's development.
"It is only recently that we started paying attention to issues of leadership, especially in Nigeria. In UK and US, they have institutions that train leaders. The leadership component of UPRL will address the under-development created by bad governance. It will ensure we raise a new generation of credible leaders who will eventually become the new Nigerians that will see to the enthronment of a sustainable new nation", he said.
In his remarks, governor of Nasarawa State, His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi Sule who handed over the Conveyance of Approval of Grant of Land for siting of the university reiterated his commitment to ensure that necessary measures are put in place for commencement of the academic institution.
He expressed delight that Nasarawa will be the host state for the global standard academic institution, noting that it will serve as a hub for manpower development and capacity building for indigenes of Nasarawa and neighbouring states, preparing Nigeria as a hub for equipping leaders for effective service delivery.
