Strategic Public Relations critical pillar for security, public trust- Lagos NIPR
Strategic Public Relations has been advocated as a critical pillar for nation building and public trust. This was the position of communication experts at the grand finale of the Lagos PR Fest 2026.
Organised by the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the experts recognised strategic public relations as an indispensable component of national security, nation building and public trust.
The annual conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM), held on Thursday, July 9, 2026, concluded a week-long festival of professional, educational, sporting and networking activities held under the theme: “Security, Nation Building and Public Trust: Fostering Collective Responsibility through Strategic Public Relations.”
The event pulled communication professionals, security experts, academics, policymakers and corporate leaders at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, for the grand finale of Lagos PR Fest 2026.
Declaring the conference open, the Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of NIPR, Dr. Samuel Ayetutu, fnipr, frpa, said the Institute deliberately chose the theme to reposition communication as a central pillar of Nigeria’s security architecture.
According to him, discussions around national security have traditionally focused on military capabilities, equipment and operations while overlooking the vital role of communication, public perception and trust.
“Security is often discussed in terms of arms, personnel and operations. Rarely is it discussed in terms of communication, perception and trust. Yet trust is the foundation upon which every security effort ultimately stands or falls.”
Dr. Ayetutu emphasised that public relations is not merely supportive to security operations but an essential operational tool that builds confidence between institutions and citizens.
In his keynote address, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu psc(+) NPM, represented by the Simeon Udofia Akpanudom psc fdc pspsp, MINIM, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), force criminal investigation department ANNEX Alagbon Close Ikoyi Lagos, described strategic public relations as the bedrock of effective nation building and sustainable national security.
Disu stressed that modern security challenges require collaboration between government institutions, the media, communication professionals and citizens, noting that security can no longer be achieved through force alone but through trust, transparency and shared responsibility.
According to him, strategic public relations replaces one-way institutional communication with transparent, two-way engagement that builds public confidence and transforms citizens from passive observers into active partners in safeguarding national security.
He identified several priorities necessary for strengthening public trust, including: rebuilding institutional credibility through evidence-based communication; promoting transparency and accountability across public institutions; strengthening grassroots engagement for intelligence gathering; expanding youth participation in security conversations; and promoting unified national messaging that transcends ethnic and religious divisions.
The Inspector-General further commended the Lagos State Chapter of NIPR for convening a timely national conversation capable of strengthening trust between institutions and the public.
The conference also featured an engaging panel discussion moderated by Ayo Makinde, Channels Television Anchor and had Prof. Adedeji Oyenuga, Professor of Criminology and Security Studies, Lagos State University; Eniola Mayowa, fnipr, Vice-chairman, Lagos NIPR; Basil Agboarumi,fnipr, CEO, The Onward Public Relations; and CP Tjani Fatai, Lagos State Commissioner of Police as panel members.
The panel reinforced the conference theme by emphasising that national security cannot be sustained solely through enforcement mechanisms but requires continuous public engagement, ethical communication and institutional transparency.
The discussants stressed the importance of rebuilding public confidence in state institutions through openness, consistency and accountability, while highlighting the role of strategic communication in countering misinformation, strengthening citizen participation and promoting responsible media reporting.
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