NIPR Signs MoU for PR and Leadership Varsity, Nasarawa Govt Approves Land, Scholarships
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) on Monday formalised a major step towards realising the proposed University of Public Relations and Leadership (UPRL) with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nasarawa State Government.
Under the terms of the MoU, the university — which will be the first tertiary institution globally dedicated to public relations and leadership — will be sited in Gudi, Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
As part of the agreement, the state government has approved land for the project and committed to annual scholarship and admission support for its indigenes.
Speaking at the MoU signing in Abuja, NIPR President, Dr Ike Neliaku, said the university is a global initiative backed by the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, representing 126 countries.
“This is not just a Nigerian project. It is a global intervention to address the chronic leadership deficit across Africa,” Dr Neliaku said.
“The MoU we signed today with the Nasarawa State Government signals our collective readiness to build an institution that will serve as a crucible for ethical leadership and strategic communication.”
He added that the university is scheduled to be unveiled in November 2026 when Nigeria will host the prestigious World Public Relations Forum, a development that positions the country as a hub for global leadership conversations.
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Governor Abdullahi Sule, who personally handed over the conveyance of land approval, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to providing the necessary support for the institution to take off.
He described the project as a historic opportunity for youth development, capacity building, and international collaboration.
“This university will not only serve Nasarawa State but the entire country and the continent at large. We are ready to begin immediate perimeter fencing of the allocated land, and will move swiftly into construction,” he said.
The MoU outlines specific benefits for Nasarawa State, including 20 full scholarship slots annually for qualified students of Nasarawa origin — with each of the 13 local government areas represented — and 50 additional concessionary admission slots for government-sponsored candidates.
According to Dr Neliaku, the university’s leadership component is designed to respond to one of Africa’s biggest challenges: bad governance.
He said institutions in the West have long invested in leadership education, and it was time Africa did the same with purpose.
“Our mission is to raise a new generation of public relations professionals and servant-leaders who can build a sustainable and inclusive future,” he said.
He also noted that the involvement of the Global Alliance would ensure international academic standards, technical expertise, and a world-class faculty to drive the vision.
As preparations continue ahead of the 2026 launch, the NIPR and Nasarawa State Government have jointly committed to ensuring that the UPRL becomes a legacy institution — not just for Nigeria but for the world.
