…Backs PR Officers’ National Body
The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) has taken a decisive step to reposition communication as a core driver of agricultural development, with its Executive Secretary, Adamu Abubakar Dabban, throwing full weight behind the newly formed Association of Agricultural Research Institutes and Colleges Public Relations Officers (AARIC-PRO).
The endorsement, given on Monday in Abuja during a high-level engagement with the association’s pioneer leadership, signals a shift from fragmented information management to a coordinated, professional communication system across Nigeria’s agricultural research and training institutions.
Dr Dabban described the initiative as both timely and strategic, stressing that effective communication is no longer optional but central to institutional relevance, visibility and impact.
He directed the association to formalise its proposal through the Directorate of Administration, noting that once approved, the Council would mandate all institutes and colleges under its supervision to establish fully functional Public Relations units.
In a clear policy direction, the Executive Secretary said PR officers would henceforth operate as outstation representatives of ARCN within a unified communication network linked directly to his office—effectively creating a nationwide strategic messaging structure for the sector.
He further underscored the urgency of professional standards, giving Public Relations Officers a six-month window to obtain certification with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, declaring that “professionalism has come to stay.”
Earlier, the Founding National Coordinator of AARIC-PRO, Oluwatoyin Khadija Ameen, outlined the association’s vision to transform Public Relations from a routine information desk into a strategic management function that drives institutional credibility, stakeholder trust and national priorities in food security and economic growth.
She noted that the initiative builds on communication gaps identified during the Executive Secretary’s nationwide tour of ARCN institutes and colleges, positioning AARIC-PRO as a solution-driven platform for system-wide integration.
Supporting the move, the Director of Administration, Kalimat Balogun, said the initiative arrives at a critical time when institutions must strengthen their public interface.
She advocated the establishment of structured, well-equipped PR units to enhance institutional projection and accountability.
The meeting also produced concrete resolutions, including the introduction of quarterly coordination meetings for PR officers, mandatory reporting of communication activities, and sustained capacity-building through trainings and conferences.
Institutions are to begin publishing quarterly magazines showcasing research breakthroughs, achievements and milestones, with copies submitted to ARCN, while a joint ecosystem publication is also in the works.
Plans are equally underway for the maiden AARIC-PRO national conference scheduled for October 2026, with the Executive Secretary expressing strong interest in participating and urging early preparations.
The emerging framework marks a significant institutional shift—one that places strategic communication at the heart of Nigeria’s agricultural research system and positions Public Relations Officers as critical actors in driving visibility, policy alignment and national development outcomes.
