NIMN President Dr. Bayo-Ajayi Bags NIPR Fellowship
The President of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), Dr. Bola Joko Bayo-Ajayi, was officially inducted as a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) during a colorful and high-profile ceremony held on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
The induction, which took place at the historic in Kaduna, served as a cornerstone of the 3rd Nigeria Public Relations Week (NPRW 2026), marking a significant milestone in the professional journey of the marketing chief and reinforcing the growing collaboration between the nation’s leading professional bodies.
Sharing her reflections on the honor, Dr. Bayo-Ajayi expressed her admiration for the solemnity and professionalism of the event, noting that the excellence of the proceedings was evident from the very start. “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.
The NIMN President used the platform to advocate for a more integrated approach to professional practice in Nigeria. She emphasized that while different sectors have their unique niches, the ultimate goal remains the same.
“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.”
Dr. Bayo-Ajayi also highlighted the strategic importance of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the NIPR and the NIMN. She noted that 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 a stellar lineup of speakers and fellow inductees. The President of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku, described the institute as an “icon of reputation,” noting that the NIPR has developed one of the world’s best frameworks for measuring reputation. He emphasized that the 109 new inductees, including the fellows, were “carefully selected in line with global best practices.”
Among the high-profile 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 tasked the new fellows with using their expertise to combat misinformation, asserting that Nigeria’s future depends on institutions that “communicate effectively, listen more, and serve with sincerity.”
The induction ceremony also saw Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State conferred with a Fellowship and named the World PR Forum Governance Ambassador.
As the NIPR prepares to host the World Public Relations Forum in Abuja later this year, the induction of leaders like Dr. Bayo-Ajayi signals a new era of inter-disciplinary excellence in Nigeria’s communication and marketing landscape.