Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
The Kano State Government has pledged to allocate land for the construction of a permanent secretariat for the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in the state.
The commitment was disclosed on Saturday, October 3, 2026, by Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director-General, Media and Publicity to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, during an engagement with the Kano State chapter of the NIPR.
The engagement formed part of activities to raise awareness about the World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) 2026, which is scheduled to hold in Abuja in November.
Kano Government Requests Formal Land Application
According to reports from the event, Bature said the state government was prepared to support the professional development of public relations practitioners and strengthen ethical standards in communication.
He urged the Kano NIPR chapter to submit a formal request for land allocation for the proposed permanent secretariat.
The commitment means the process will require a formal application from the professional body before the proposed allocation can proceed through the relevant government channels.
The proposed facility would provide the Kano chapter with a permanent base for its administrative and professional activities rather than relying solely on rented premises or temporary arrangements.
Government Promises Support for PR Professionals
Bature also said the Kano State Government would continue supporting the welfare and security of journalists and public relations practitioners in the state.
He said the administration was willing to consider legitimate requests from professional bodies including the NIPR, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Correspondents’ Chapel for onward consideration by Governor Yusuf.
According to the report, Bature disclosed that the state government spent more than N200 million in 2025 on various categories of media and public relations practitioners.
He added that more than N150 million had been spent in 2026 on welfare support, including mobility, working tools, accommodation and medical assistance.
The figures were presented by the governor’s media director and were not independently verified by Weng Global.
WPRF 2026 Engagement
The meeting also focused on preparations for the World Public Relations Forum 2026, an international gathering of public relations professionals expected to take place in Abuja from November 15 to 21, 2026.
Bature said Governor Yusuf had confirmed Kano State’s full participation in the forum.
The forum is expected to bring together public relations practitioners and communication professionals from different countries to discuss developments and emerging challenges in the profession.
Former NIPR President Professor Ya’u Sule Ya’u, who spoke during the engagement, said the roadshow was designed to create awareness about the forum and mobilise public relations practitioners and members of the public ahead of the event.
He said the forum would also provide an opportunity for professionals to examine developments in the practice of public relations, including the internationally referenced definition of the profession adopted in Mexico City in 1978.
Kano’s Recent Focus on Professional Communication
The latest commitment follows other efforts by the Kano State Government to strengthen professional communication within the public service.
In August 2025, the state government sponsored the induction of dozens of information officers and public relations practitioners into the NIPR.
Voice of Nigeria reported that 72 Kano State Government information officers and public relations practitioners were inducted during a ceremony in Kano, with the initiative described as part of efforts to professionalise public information management across ministries, departments, agencies and local government areas.
The Guardian also reported that NIPR President Dr Ike Neliaku urged the newly inducted officers to uphold professional and ethical standards in their roles.
The developments highlight the growing emphasis on professional training, ethical communication and institutional capacity within Kano’s public information system.
NIPR’s Role in Public Communication
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations is the professional body responsible for regulating and advancing public relations practice in Nigeria.
For state governments, stronger engagement with professional communication bodies can support the development of structured public information systems, particularly in areas involving government-citizen communication.
For practitioners, a permanent NIPR facility could provide space for professional training, meetings, administrative activities and programmes aimed at improving standards within the profession.
However, the proposed Kano secretariat remains at the commitment and application stage based on the information currently available. No specific location, size of the proposed land allocation, construction budget or completion date was disclosed in the reports reviewed by Weng Global.
Northwest Media Security Summit Planned
The Kano government also announced plans for a Northwest Regional Media Security Summit, which is expected to take place at the Kano Government House.
Bature said the state government would sponsor the summit.
The proposed meeting is expected to address issues surrounding the safety and welfare of media practitioners in the region, although further details about the date, participants and agenda were not provided in the reports reviewed.
What Happens Next
The immediate next step for the Kano NIPR chapter is to submit a formal request for land allocation to the state government.
Further details will be required before the proposed permanent secretariat can move from a government commitment to an actual development project, including the location of the land, formal approval, funding arrangements, design and construction timetable.
The NIPR chapter is also expected to continue preparations for the World Public Relations Forum in Abuja, where Kano State has indicated that it will participate.
For Kano’s public relations community, the proposed secretariat could become a permanent institutional base for professional development and engagement if the government’s pledge progresses through the necessary administrative and implementation stages.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- Paradigm News — report on Kano Government’s pledge to support NIPR and WPRF 2026.
- The Daily Brief Nigeria — report carrying the Telegraph wire dispatch on the land pledge.
- Voice of Nigeria — report on Kano’s 2025 NIPR induction programme.
- The Guardian — report on the NIPR induction of Kano information officers.
