The President of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), Dr Bola Joko Bayo-Ajayi, was formally inducted as a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) during a distinguished ceremony held on Thursday, 23 April 2026.
The event, which took place in Kaduna, was a key highlight of the 3rd Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW 2026), marking a significant milestone in Dr Bayo-Ajayi’s professional journey and strengthening the collaboration between Nigeria’s foremost professional bodies.
Reflecting on the honour, Dr Bayo-Ajayi praised the professionalism and solemnity of the occasion, noting that the excellence of the proceedings was evident from the very beginning. “The experience was profound, beginning right from the procession,” she stated.
“The ceremony went on exceptionally well. The quality surrounding the induction of fellows is very high, and the significance of this to the industry where we practice is quite enormous,” she added.
Using the platform, Dr Bayo-Ajayi called for a more integrated approach to professional practice across Nigeria. She emphasised that although different sectors have their individual specialisms, the ultimate goal remains unified.
“I believe that marketing is one, irrespective of different segments. At the end of the day, the ecosystem is one,” she remarked. “My participation in these industry activities is my own way of identifying with everyone to achieve a common purpose. It is about how we work together to strengthen our collective impact.”
She also highlighted the strategic importance of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between NIPR and NIMN, stating her presence at the Kaduna event was a direct reflection of this partnership. “I am here in connection with the MoU that we signed. The essence of that agreement is to cover multiple areas of mutual interest and to ensure that our professional standards continue to rise in tandem.”
The event featured an impressive line-up of speakers and inductees. Dr Ike Neliaku, President of NIPR, described the institute as an “icon of reputation,” noting that NIPR has developed one of the world’s best frameworks for measuring reputation. He also mentioned that the 109 new inductees, including the fellows, were “carefully selected in line with global best practices.”
Among the prominent dignitaries inducted alongside Dr Bayo-Ajayi were the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, and the Minister of State for Works, Hon Bello Goronyo.
In his remarks, Rt Hon Kalu urged the new fellows to utilise their expertise to combat misinformation, asserting that Nigeria’s future relies on institutions that “communicate effectively, listen more, and serve with sincerity.”
