NIPR partners with Nasarawa State to establish groundbreaking varsity of public relations and leadership

• indigenes to get 20 annual scholarship slots

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

In a landmark move set to transform leadership education in Africa, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nasarawa State Government to establish the University of Public Relations and Leadership (UPRL). 

The new institution will be located in Gudi, Akwanga local government area of Nasarawa State and is slated for unveiling in November 2026, coinciding with Nigeria’s hosting of the World Public Relations Forum (WPRF).

The UPRL is poised to become the world’s first tertiary institution to integrate Public Relations and Leadership as core academic disciplines. This pioneering initiative is backed by the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, representing 126 countries worldwide, underscoring its global significance.

Speaking at the official MoU signing ceremony in Abuja on Monday, NIPR President Ike Neliaku described the university as a “global project” rooted in Africa. He highlighted the unique opportunity Nigeria has secured, saying: “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.”

Neliaku further highlighted the university’s mission as a practical solution to Africa’s persistent leadership and governance challenges, which he identified as critical barriers to the continent’s development.
“It is only recently that we started paying attention to issues of leadership, especially in Nigeria. In the 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 enthronement of a sustainable new nation,” he stated.
He further noted that the Global Alliance will provide global faculty and technical support, ensuring the university’s academic standards meet international benchmarks and attract worldwide attention.
Governor of Nasarawa State,Abdullahi Sule  expressed strong commitment to the project, personally handing over the Conveyance of Approval of Grant of Land for the university’s site. He assured that the state government would expedite necessary preparations, including immediate perimeter fencing and subsequent construction of main structures.
“We are delighted that Nasarawa will be the host state for this global standard academic institution. The UPRL will serve as a hub for manpower development and capacity building for indigenes of Nasarawa and neighbouring states. It is a strategic step towards preparing Nigeria as a hub for equipping leaders for effective service delivery,”  Sule said.
The MoU also guarantees significant benefits for the host state’s residents. Nasarawa indigenes will receive at least 20 annual scholarship slots distributed across all 13 local government areas, ensuring broad-based access to the university’s programs. Additionally, the state government will sponsor 50 concessionary admission slots annually for qualified candidates, also representing all local government areas.
This inclusive approach aims to foster local talent development and position Nasarawa as a center of excellence in leadership and public relations education.