The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has conferred its highest honour on the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, in recognition of his leadership, strategic foresight, and transformative impact across the state.
The investiture, held in Abuja, also highlighted Nasarawa State’s selection as the site of the world’s first Public Relations University and Leadership Academy.
In his address, the NIPR President, Dr Ike Neliaku, emphasised the institute’s mission and the governor’s exemplary role in promoting national cohesion and responsible governance.
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“We play our role as dealers of reputation, sustainers of goodwill, promoters of understanding, mediators, and facilitators of reconciliation. More importantly, we play our role as promoters of national integration. That is what relationship is all about,” he said.
He highlighted Governor Sule’s pivotal role in global initiatives: “You brought out your chest to take the bullet for Nigeria to excel in two most significant global reputation projects in 2026. You promptly braced to partner with NIPR towards hosting the World Public Relations Forum in Abuja – a congregation of over 3,000 thought leaders from 126 countries advising presidents, corporate leaders, and policymakers,” he said.
The NIPR President further stressed the significance of the event, noting that Nigeria would, for the first time, host both the World Public Relations Forum and the African Public Relations Association Conference.
“We are making history as the first in Africa to do so. Your foresight took you beyond ceremonials to a legacy that will define leadership in Nigeria,” he said.
He cited the governor’s transformation of the state’s reputation, referencing an independent survey conducted by NIPR.
“In 2024, Nasarawa State scored a weak 30.4%, but by 2026, your administration had improved that rating to 83.6%. From weak to excellent in two years is no small achievement. This milestone justified the conferment of NIPR’s patronage and fellowship simultaneously, a first for any Nigerian governor,” he added.
Responding, Governor Abdullahi Sule expressed gratitude for the recognition and reflected on the initiatives that contributed to the state’s improved governance and development.
“Leadership is one of the things that is required for Nigeria to excel because all the potentials are there. I developed a special interest in NIPR because they are nurturing and promoting leadership. Their independent study showed we scored 30%, and if I were governing myself, I would not have given more than that. But we have worked as a team and improved significantly,” he said.
Purposeful Leadership
Governor Sule stressed the need for purposeful leadership, which sets the pace for effective governance in the country.
The governor further detailed key policy reforms in mining and agriculture that have transformed Nasarawa State.
“We came up with a law that anyone who wants to mine in Nasarawa must also process locally. Today, we have the biggest lithium processing plants in Nigeria, and other solid minerals like cobalt, lead, and zinc are now processed here. Even the marble in major airports was produced in Nasarawa,” he said.
On the Public Relations University, Governor Sule highlighted the strategic planning behind its establishment: “We wanted this university to define the future of Nigeria’s leadership. Despite interest from Lagos, Kaduna, and other states, the site chosen is Wudi in Nasarawa, close to Abuja. We allocated 6 billion naira from our savings to ensure this project succeeds without borrowing,” he noted.
According to him, the investiture signifies progress, development, and the institute’s commitment to shaping the nation’s future leadership.
The conferment underscored strong collaboration, commitment to success, and the pursuit of a lasting legacy for Nigeria’s leadership.
The ceremony was attended by the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Malam Jibrin Baba-Ndace; the Vice President of NIPR, Professor Emmanuel Dandaura; and the Emir of Keffi, Dr Chindo Yamusa III.
Others present included members of the Nasarawa State Executive Council, the State House of Assembly, Fellows and Council Members of NIPR, and stakeholders from the public relations ecosystem.