THE Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has called for stronger support toward the completion of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) National Secretariat project in Abuja, saying the public relations profession deserves a national edifice Nigerians can identify with and take pride in.
CGC Adeniyi made the appeal on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, shortly after inspecting the ongoing construction of the NIPR National Secretariat, known as “Public Relations Place,” located within the premises of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria’s Radio House in Garki, Abuja.
The Customs boss expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded at the site, noting that public relations has contributed immensely to nation-building and the professional growth of many Nigerians over the years.
According to him, the time has come for practitioners and stakeholders to collectively support the completion of a befitting national secretariat for the Institute.
“PR has done a lot for many of us. It has given us opportunities and platforms to serve, and it has made many of us what we are today. This is the time for us to give something back to the profession,” Adeniyi said.
He described the project as a major milestone for the profession and expressed confidence in the leadership of the Institute and members of the project committee overseeing the construction.
“This is very commendable. There is still a long way to go, but we have the right people to drive this project to completion,” he stated.
Adeniyi also appealed to corporate organisations, government institutions, and friends of the profession to support the project ahead of the World Public Relations Forum expected to be hosted in Nigeria later this year.
“We are hosting the world before the end of the year, and this project will be a good gift from Nigeria to the global PR family. Every support towards its completion will be welcome,” he added.
The CGC further assured stakeholders that he would continue mobilising support for the project both within and outside the profession.
A Fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, Adeniyi is also the immediate past Vice President of the Institute.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Muhammad Bulama, described the project as a major development for the public relations profession and the communication industry in Nigeria.
Bulama stated that Radio Nigeria did not hesitate to release the land for the project after recognising the importance of the Institute to national development and public communication.
He admitted that he initially doubted how quickly the project would progress, especially because an abandoned structure had occupied the same location for years before work on the new secretariat began.
“To be very honest, I was initially sceptical. But today, we are seeing a massive structure rising here within a short period, and we are proud to host this important institution,” he said.
The FRCN Director-General also commended Adeniyi for what he described as his consistent support and commitment to the Institute.
“I want to particularly thank the Comptroller-General of Customs for his support for this institution. He has remained deeply committed to this project,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Vice President of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations and Chairman of the Project Committee, Emmanuel Dandaura, said the Institute’s leadership remains committed to delivering a befitting national secretariat for the profession.
Professor Dandaura, who received the Customs boss on behalf of the President and Chairman of the Council of the Institute, Ike Neliaku, commended Adeniyi for identifying with the project and supporting the vision behind it.
He said the encouragement and support from respected professionals and institutions had continued to strengthen the resolve of the project committee to ensure the successful completion of the project.
The inspection visit was attended by several Fellows and members of the NIPR Governing Council, officials of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, members and engineers of the project committee, and other stakeholders in the communication and public relations sector.