The President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr. Ike Neliaku, has clarified that while he publicly defended lobbying as a legitimate public relations function, he did not endorse the Federal Government’s reported $9 million contract with a United States based consultancy firm.

Speaking on Tuesday at the Nigeria Reputation Management Summit held in Abuja, Dr. Neliaku addressed what he described as a contextually misleading headline published by Punch newspaper on January 15, 2026, which read, “NIPR defends FG 9 million US lobbying deal.”

“I Could Not Have Defended What I Did Not Know”

Addressing stakeholders at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Dr. Neliaku firmly distanced himself from any defence of the reported contract.

“I couldn’t have defended the thing I do not have any details of. Number two, I couldn’t have defended the cost of $9 million when I do not know what constitutes the cost. Number three, I couldn’t have defended the deal. I do not even know who the dealers are,” he said.

Furthermore, he explained that without access to the facts, he could not assess the competence, credibility, character, track record, or the broader implications surrounding those involved in the arrangement.

Lobbying Is Not a Crime, He Insists

However, Dr. Neliaku stressed that what he had stated at an earlier presentation was clearly misunderstood. According to him, his position was straightforward: lobbying is a public relations function and does not amount to a criminal offence.

“Lobbying is a public relations function and does not amount to any criminal offense. As a matter of fact, lobbying is being accepted as a global professional element of our trade and transaction,” he said.

He further explained that lobbying is professionally designed to engage, influence, and achieve clearly defined outcomes and value, noting that this principle remains globally recognised within the public relations profession.

Context Matters in Public Engagements

Nevertheless, the NIPR president acknowledged that concerns remain regarding the reported federal government contract. He pointed out that questions around the appropriateness of the engagement, the competence of the vendors, and the process and method of hiring were legitimate and deserved scrutiny.

As such, he emphasised that while lobbying itself is acceptable, context, process, and value delivery must always guide its application.

Nigeria’s Global PR Success Story

To further illustrate his position, Dr. Neliaku drew attention to Nigeria’s successful bid to host the Global Alliance World Public Relations Forum scheduled for November 2026 in Abuja.

Describing the forum as the largest public relations gathering in the world, he said Nigeria secured the hosting rights after a tough and rigorous four round process, which involved extensive and appropriate lobbying engagements.

“The forum is today the biggest public relations gathering in the world. We got it right through a tough, rigorous process that went through four rounds,” he said.

A Delicate National Project

At the same time, Dr. Neliaku cautioned that hosting the World Public Relations Forum is not a trivial undertaking. According to him, it is a delicate national project with far reaching global implications.

“If we host it well, which I believe we will, it will raise the nation’s global respect, dignity and reputation,” he said, noting that the participants are the same professionals who advise governments, corporations, and multinationals worldwide.

He explained that a successful hosting would mean having 126 countries backing Nigeria, while failure could mean 126 countries pushing back simultaneously.

Global Scrutiny Already Underway

Dr. Neliaku revealed that since July 2025, Nigeria has remained under continuous scrutiny by the Global Alliance, with monthly assessments already in place.

He noted that he is required to submit progress reports every first Tuesday of the month, while competitors closely monitor Nigeria’s preparations.

“Our competitors are waiting for us to have a challenge, and then they will say, ‘I told you.’ But nothing will tell them. When we host it, I would have said that this one will be the biggest, the brightest and the boldest they have ever seen on earth, because we can do it,” he said.

NIPR Emerges Best PR Association Globally

In a major announcement at the summit, Dr. Neliaku disclosed that the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations has been adjudged the best public relations association in the world.

According to him, the recognition followed a call he received earlier that morning from the President of the Global Alliance, after a competitive process involving the Public Relations Society of America, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (UK), and other global associations.

Call for Coherence in Government Communication

In conclusion, Dr. Neliaku used the platform to issue a strong call for coherence in government communication, warning that inconsistent messaging by spokespersons is undermining Nigeria’s narrative management.

“If you don’t have coherence, that’s the challenge we engage with the global community. One is talking this way, the other one is talking that way. Sometimes they say they are confused. They don’t even know which one to believe. We must have a way of addressing these issues,” he said.