Reputation is no longer something you leave to PR agencies alone. That was the key message at the weekend as Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, unveiled a new book on public relations in Kaduna. The book, “Aren’t We All PR People?” by PR practitioner and academic Ahmed Balarabe Sa’id, was launched before a room filled with government officials, media leaders, and communication professionals. Represented by the MD of the News Agency of Nigeria, Malam Ali Mohammed Ali, the Minister called the book “timely” and said it speaks directly to how communication works in today’s digital age.
According to Idris, every single person practices PR daily — whether we know it or not. “Everyone communicates, explains themselves, persuades others and manages relationships daily. These are all, in one form or another, elements of public relations,” he said. But he was quick to draw the line between casual communication and professional PR. True public relations, he noted, requires strategy, ethics, discipline and accountability. With social media amplifying every message, the Minister said the government has a duty to help citizens tell facts from misinformation. He pointed to Nigeria’s partnership with UNESCO to set up the International Media and Information Literacy Institute in Abuja as one of the steps being taken.
The author, Ahmed Balarabe Sa’id, said the book came out of years of mentoring, practice, and learning. He wrote it to help both professionals and everyday people understand how PR principles show up in business, governance, and personal branding. NIPR President, Dr. Ike Neliaku, represented by VP Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura, described Sa’id as a scholar committed to moving the PR profession forward in Nigeria. He called the book an important addition to professional literature.
The launch drew a strong turnout from the communication space. Among those present were Hon. Danladi Suleiman Aguye, Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Polytechnics; Dr. Auwal Mohammed Haruna, former NIPR VP; Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, DG of Voice of Nigeria; Dr. Nkechi Ali-Balogun, Chairman of PRCAN; and Prof. Sule Yau Sule, Chairman of Image Merchants Promotion Ltd. The Minister ended by urging students, professionals, and anyone in leadership to pick up the book, saying it offers practical insights into how reputation is built and protected in 2026.
Credit: This report is adapted from the original story published by PRNigeria on August 31, 2026.
