The Director of Administration and Human Resources at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Mrs. Moji A. Jimoh, has been inducted as a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.

The honour was conferred during the Nigerian Public Relations Week 2026, held in Kaduna, where industry leaders gathered to discuss communication strategies and national development.

Why it matters

The Fellowship is the highest professional rank within the NIPR, awarded to practitioners with more than a decade of experience and proven contributions to the field.

It reflects growing recognition of public relations as a key driver of governance, institutional trust, and policy communication in Nigeria.

Inside the induction

Mrs. Jimoh was among 16 professionals inducted during the five-day conference, which took place at the Kaduna State Government House banquet hall.

The President and Chairman of Council of the NIPR, Ike Neliaku, presented the awards at what organisers described as a “colourful event.”

A statement from NIMASA said:

“The Professional Fellowship of the institute was awarded to Moji Jimoh and 15 others by the President and Chairman of Council of the NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku.”

What it takes to become a Fellow

According to the institute, candidates must undergo a rigorous screening process, including:

Demonstrating contributions to public relations knowledge

Delivering professional presentations

Passing oral interviews

Only professionals with at least 10 years of active practice are considered.

Broader conversations at PR Week

The 2026 edition of PR Week, themed “Food Security: From Public Policy to Public Plate,” also focused on tackling hunger across Africa.

Experts and policymakers discussed how communication strategies can bridge the gap between government policy and citizens’ everyday realities.

Industry perspective

Public relations experts say recognitions like this highlight the evolving role of communication professionals in shaping public understanding of critical issues such as food security, governance, and economic reforms.

They note that institutions like NIMASA increasingly rely on strategic communication to build transparency and stakeholder trust.

What’s next

With her induction, Mrs. Jimoh joins a network of senior professionals expected to mentor younger practitioners and contribute to policy conversations within the communications industry.

Observers say such recognitions could encourage more investment in professional development within Nigeria’s public sector.

Nestlé Nigeria has launched a new nationwide campaign, “Next Level Promo,” offering more than ₦80 million in cash and prizes to consumers across the country.

The promotion, organised under its flagship coffee brand NESCAFÉ, will run from April to June 2026, with winners emerging through bi-weekly and monthly draws.

Participants can enter by purchasing a NESCAFÉ Original 3-in-1 promo pack, dialing *7022#, and submitting a unique code found inside the pack.

What consumers can win

The company says the initiative goes beyond giveaways, aiming to support entrepreneurship and personal development.

Prizes include:

Cash rewards

Airtime

Laptops and professional cameras

Makeup kits and sewing machines

Access to exclusive masterclasses

The mix of rewards reflects what the company describes as “practical tools” for Nigerians looking to improve their livelihoods.

“A reflection of the Nigerian hustle”

Speaking at the launch, Jean Pierre Duplan said the campaign is designed to connect with the daily realities of Nigerian consumers.

“NESCAFÉ is deeply connected to the Nigerian hustle and the resilience it represents. We understand the discipline it takes to show up every day and keep pushing forward. The Next Level Promo is how we bring this understanding to life, helping you make your world while rewarding your everyday effort.”

Why it matters

Promotional campaigns of this scale have become a key strategy for consumer brands in Nigeria, particularly amid rising living costs and increased competition in the fast-moving consumer goods sector.

For many consumers, such promotions provide:

Short-term financial relief

Access to tools for small businesses

Opportunities for skills development

Industry analysts say brands are increasingly aligning promotions with empowerment themes to build deeper emotional connections with customers.

Industry perspective

Marketing experts note that campaigns like this also serve as a loyalty driver in Nigeria’s competitive beverage market.

By combining everyday consumption with aspirational rewards, brands like NESCAFÉ position themselves as both lifestyle partners and economic enablers.

What’s next

The promo will run until June 2026, with multiple draws scheduled throughout th

Consumers are encouraged to purchase participating packs nationwide and enter for a chance to win.

Union Bank of Nigeria has placed education at the centre of its corporate responsibility strategy, arguing that Nigeria’s long-term economic growth depends on the strength of its human capital.

The bank says its approach, delivered through its Edu360 platform, focuses on supporting teachers, equipping students with practical skills, and promoting financial literacy from an early age.

Nigeria’s education system faces persistent challenges, including underfunding, overcrowded classrooms, and limited access to learning materials issues that experts say directly affect productivity and economic development.

Union Bank’s intervention, while not positioned as a solution to systemic gaps, reflects a growing trend of private sector involvement in social development.

Why it matters

Education is widely seen as a key driver of economic stability.

Analysts say students who stay longer in school are more likely to earn higher incomes, manage finances effectively, and contribute to the formal economy.

For financial institutions, this has long-term implications.

A more financially literate population is more likely to use banking services, save consistently, and build sustainable businesses.

Inside Edu360

Union Bank’s education initiatives are structured around three core areas.

Teacher development is supported through its partnership with the Maltina Teacher of the Year programme, which rewards excellence in teaching.

Practical learning is promoted through school hackathons, where students work in teams to solve real-world problems and engage with technology beyond theory.

Financial literacy programmes are delivered during events such as World Savings Day, encouraging young people to develop saving and budgeting habits early.

The bank says these efforts are aligned with global development goals on education and economic growth.

Community impact: A visit to Lagos Island

At Ebutte Elefun High School in Lagos Island, Union Bank recently distributed school bags and learning materials to hundreds of students as part of its back-to-school outreach.

The bank’s Chief Financial Officer, Oluwagbenga Adeoye, who once attended the school, returned to speak with students about his journey.

He shared personal experiences and answered questions — a moment that school officials say had a strong motivational impact.

“We are being future-ready, we are preparing the youth for the future,” said Mrs Lai Koiki, founder of Greensprings School, a long-time partner in the bank’s education initiatives.

Such interventions may appear small in scale, but they can reduce barriers to school attendance, particularly at the start of the academic year.

Industry and expert perspective

Education specialists say private sector involvement can complement government efforts, especially when programmes are sustained over time.

However, they caution that corporate initiatives alone cannot address structural issues such as curriculum gaps, teacher shortages, and infrastructure deficits.

Instead, experts advocate for stronger collaboration between government, schools, and private organisations.

The limits of corporate intervention

Union Bank acknowledges that its programmes cannot replace public investment in education.

While initiatives like hackathons and outreach programmes introduce students to new opportunities, their long-term impact depends on consistent engagement and broader systemic support.

The bank says it is increasingly focused on measuring outcomes including school attendance and long-term economic participation rather than just programme reach.

What’s next

Union Bank plans to expand Edu360 while maintaining long-term partnerships with schools and communities.

The strategy emphasises consistency over one-off interventions, with a focus on tracking measurable impact over time.

For many observers, the key question remains whether sustained corporate engagement can translate into meaningful improvements in Nigeria’s education outcomes.