NIPR faults exclusion of communication experts in Nigeria’s delegation to US

NIPR National President, Dr Ike Neliaku

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The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations has criticised the recent engagements between the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and members of the United States Congress over allegations of Christian killings in Nigeria.

It said the delegations failed to include communication experts who could properly articulate Nigeria’s narrative.

NIPR National President, Dr Ike Neliaku, raised the observation in Abuja on Friday at the induction of 448 new members and the unveiling of a revised definition of public relations for Africa.

Neliaku expressed concerns that the Federal Government appeared not to fully understand the communication dimension of the ongoing international scrutiny.

“I would like to use this opportunity to say that I don’t think the government sometimes understands what the issues are. How can you raise a team to engage with the U.S. authorities without a communication person in the mix? You only selected security people,” he said.

He argued that though the issues raised by the U.S. centred on insecurity, the bigger challenge was narrative management.

“Yes, we know that what triggered it is security, but you must know that this is a matter of narrative, reputation and communication.

“You might be the best in security, but you must know how to communicate security and insecurity in a manner that those who are listening will know what it is,” he said.

The PR expert faulted the composition of the delegation that visited Washington, saying the absence of the Minister of Information created a vacuum.

“So how can you constitute a delegation that went to meet the Americans and the one from the Nigerian delegation that will now engage with no single communication person?

“Where is the Minister of Information? Idris Mohammed is supposed to be Nigeria’s spokesperson on matters like this. He’s not there,” Neliaku said.

According to him, the consequence was that Nigerians followed developments in the U.S. from an American perspective.

“So you now discover that even when our people were in the U.S., we were hearing what was going on there through the picture of what the Americans were sharing. It is their own view, not our own,” he added.

He urged the government to prioritise communication professionals when marketing national policies abroad.

“When we talk about policy marketing, the Nigerian government must take this very seriously. Always put communication people first, because they are the ones who are gifted to communicate, and they will know how to do it very well.

“Nigerians should not be hearing for the first time events in their country, what their nationals and leaders are doing outside the shore from a third-party viewpoint instead of our own view. That’s the way I look at it,” he said.

Neliaku maintained that the allegations of Christian genocide in Nigeria must be addressed with facts, not spin.

“We must engage diplomatically, persuasively, we must engage with data, not just by word of mouth. We must confront it with data to show that we know what we are talking about,” he said.

When asked how Nigeria could navigate the fresh U.S. designation threats, he insisted the country must remain honest.

“I will not advise that we should manoeuvre our way because manoeuvring gives an indication of just finding a way to escape. No, we should face issues head-on as they are, and the reality is very clear. Do we have challenges in Nigeria? Yes.

“But we are saying that this is what we are doing to confront the challenges. That should be the right narrative. And that’s why we emphasise the truth. It’s not to deny because people now have facts, unlike in those days when you could manipulate information,” he said.

He added that the proliferation of smartphones meant citizens now supply their own evidence.

“Everybody is now a journalist by reason of having a handset. They can now get their own information and even broadcast it before you know what is happening. So the reality is that we have challenges. But this is what we are doing to confront these challenges,” Neliaku said.

“That is also why we said you must project your own narrative in a very persuasive manner, which is what I believe that the Minister of Information is trying to do.”

Nigeria has faced heightened scrutiny in recent months after former U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Christianity faces “an existential threat” in Nigeria and that any American response could be “fast, vicious, and sweet” if attacks persist.

The pressure has intensified as questions mount over missing students, targeted attacks, and the government’s counterterrorism efforts.

In November, The PUNCH reported that a Nigerian delegation led by Ribadu met U.S. Congressman Riley Moore to discuss alleged escalating killings of Christians and the threat of terrorism. Moore described the meeting as “frank, honest, and productive,” and focused on “horrific violence and persecution Christians face.”

The delegation included Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lt. Gen. E. Undiendeye; and senior officials from the Office of the NSA and the Nigerian Embassy in Washington.

A follow-up U.S. Congressional delegation also visited Abuja on December 7, with Ribadu describing it as part of ongoing consultations on counter-terrorism and regional stability.

At the induction ceremony, NIPR Vice President, Prof. Emma Dandaura, said the council approved a new Africa-centric definition of public relations on July 22, 2025, to address the continent’s trust deficit.

Dandaura said Africa needed a model that aligns with its cultural heritage and moral communication traditions.

He noted that Africa’s traditional communication systems—which once relied on proverbs, community values and even masquerades as moral regulators—emphasised responsibility and trust.

The new definition approved by the council describes public relations as “a strategic leadership role that builds trust, reputation, lasting relationships, and drives inclusive development through ethical, transparent, and culturally respectful communication.”

The PUNCH journalist, Adebayo, has over 20 years of experience covering politics, health, metro, entertainment and properties

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