Chile Duru of Achievers University Named Research Fellow at INTI International University, Malaysia
Renowned Nigerian communication scholar and public relations expert, Dr. Chike Walter Duru, has been appointed a Research Fellow at INTI International University, Malaysia, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to strategic communication, media studies, governance, international development and communication research.
The appointment, which takes effect from May 19, 2026, to December 31, 2028, places the Associate Professor of Mass Communication at Achievers University, Owo, among an international network of scholars dedicated to advancing collaborative research, innovation and global academic engagement.
The appointment was conveyed in an official letter signed by the Vice-Chancellor of INTI International University, Professor Joseph Lee, who said the fellowship is aimed at promoting excellence in research, strengthening institutional research capacity and fostering international scholarly collaboration.
As a Research Fellow, Dr. Duru will participate in collaborative research projects, international conferences, research symposia, postgraduate supervision, guest lectures, curriculum development, consultancy services and scholarly publications. The fellowship also provides access to research funding opportunities and institutional support for disseminating research findings.
The appointment marks another milestone in the distinguished career of one of Nigeria’s leading scholars and practitioners in strategic communication and development.
Dr. Duru currently serves as Head of the Department of Mass Communication at Achievers University, where he combines academic leadership with extensive practical experience spanning the public sector, international development organisations, humanitarian agencies and private institutions.
With more than two decades of professional experience, he has built an impressive reputation in strategic communication, governance reform, media management, stakeholder engagement, humanitarian response, public affairs and institutional capacity development.
Before joining academia full-time, Dr. Duru served as a Communication Expert with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) in Nigeria. He also led communications for the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) Project, a World Bank-supported national initiative co-funded by the European Investment Bank and the French Development Agency.
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His consultancy portfolio includes serving as Lead Communication and Advocacy Consultant on several donor-funded governance programmes, notably the European Union-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC) Programme and the UK Department for International Development (DFID)-supported Justice for All (J4A) Programme. His contributions have been credited with advancing transparency, Freedom of Information implementation, justice sector reforms and citizen engagement in Nigeria.
Dr. Duru also served as Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Governor of Imo State, where he coordinated government communication strategies and public engagement initiatives.
He is widely recognised as one of the pioneers of Nigeria’s Open Government Partnership (OGP) initiative, having co-chaired the Access to Information Working Group that championed transparency and accountability reforms across the country.
In 2015, he was recognised among Nigeria’s top media executives after being selected within the top four per cent of industry leaders in a nationwide assessment conducted by a business research and publication firm headed by Harvard-trained executive Elvis Krivokuca.
Academically, Dr. Duru has held teaching and leadership positions at the American University of Nigeria, Yola, Prime University, Abuja, Madonna University, and now Achievers University, Owo.
He has authored several textbooks, contributed chapters to academic publications and published more than 50 peer-reviewed journal articles covering public relations, development communication, journalism, advertising, media studies and African communication systems.
Reacting to the appointment, Dr. Duru described the fellowship as an important opportunity to deepen international academic collaboration and contribute to research addressing contemporary communication and development challenges.
“This fellowship provides an excellent platform for international academic collaboration, interdisciplinary research and knowledge exchange. I look forward to working with colleagues at INTI International University to produce impactful research that contributes to communication scholarship and sustainable development,” he said.
Colleagues and associates have described the appointment as a fitting recognition of Dr. Duru’s longstanding contributions to scholarship, policy development, governance reforms and strategic communication practice across Africa.
Observers also noted that the fellowship further enhances the international profile of Achievers University, Owo, while highlighting the growing global recognition of Nigerian scholars making significant contributions to research, innovation and sustainable development.
Dr. Duru holds a Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of Uyo, a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Imo State University, Owerri.
He is a member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the African Council for Communication Education (ACCE) and the Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON).
By PRNigeria
