Niger State Local Government Service Commission Suspends Training Amid NIPR Concerns.
By Yahaya Zakka Minna.
The Niger State Local Government Service Commission has officially suspended a planned training engagement with a consulting firm intended for Local Government Information Officers and Assistants.
This decision follows a formal complaint from the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), which raised serious concerns regarding the legality of the training initiative.
In a letter addressed to the Commission and signed by Chief Uzoma Onyegbadue, the NIPR Registrar and Secretary to the Governing Council, the institute asserted that the training sessions, set for July 22 and 23, 2025, would violate the NIPR Act.
The organization emphasized that the consulting firm involved is neither a registered corporate member of the NIPR nor is its owner affiliated with the institute, thereby contravening the Public Relations Practice Regulation under CAP Number 114, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The NIPR reiterated that only registered members of the institute are authorized to conduct training in public relations within Nigeria.
The letter characterized the engagement of an unregistered consultant as an act that undermines the integrity of the profession and contributes to the proliferation of quackery.
Furthermore, the NIPR warned that ignoring the stipulations of the Act could lead to potential legal repercussions, including prosecution.
The correspondence was also sent to notable officials, including Niger State Governor Muhammed Umaru Bago, the state Secretary, and the Inspector General of Police.
In response to the receipt of this letter, the Niger State Local Government Service Commission convened an urgent meeting to reconsider the training arrangement, ultimately deciding to suspend it.
NIPR Chairman Mallam Mahmud Abdullahi expressed gratitude for the Commission’s decision, stating that it reflects a commitment to due process and professionalism in public service.
The NIPR’s proactive stance highlights the importance of adherence to regulatory standards in the field of public relations.
