Benue Moves to Formalise Public Relations as a Career Structure in Civil Service
Benue State Government is considering formalising public relations as a career structure in the civil service, with NIPR proposing professional certification, training and stronger government communication.
The Benue State Government is considering a move to formally recognise public relations as a career structure within the state civil service, a development that could reshape how government communication is managed across ministries, departments and agencies.
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Tersoo Kula, disclosed the plan on Tuesday when the leadership of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Benue State chapter, led by its chairman, Philip Toryue, visited him at the Government House in Makurdi.
Kula said Governor Alia had been briefed about the proposal and was favourably disposed to implementing the initiative.
According to Punch Newspapers, the proposal followed discussions at a recent workshop organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation in collaboration with the NIPR for government spokespersons.
Strengthening Government Communication
The proposed formalisation is aimed at strengthening the professional management of communication within the Benue public service.
Kula said a structured public relations career path could improve public enlightenment, crisis communication and the government's ability to respond effectively to misinformation and disinformation.
He also backed regular training for government spokespersons and information officers, arguing that continuous professional development would help reduce inaccurate representation of government policies and minimise friction between the government and citizens.
The proposal comes at a time when government communication has become increasingly complex, particularly because of the rapid growth of social media and the speed at which information - and misinformation - can spread.
The Benue State Ministry of Information and Orientation already has a Directorate of Press and Public Relations, alongside directorates responsible for public enlightenment and orientation, information and communication technology, graphic arts, planning and administration. The ministry describes itself as the state's primary communication arm, responsible for public information, media liaison, citizen orientation and government communication.
NIPR Seeks Professional Recognition
The Benue NIPR chapter is seeking greater involvement in determining who occupies public relations, press, information and protocol positions within government institutions.
Toryue said the chapter has more than 100 members working across ministries, departments and agencies, the media, private organisations and academia.
However, he identified professional recognition, quackery and inadequate funding for capacity building as some of the challenges confronting practitioners.
He called on the state government to enforce relevant provisions of the NIPR Act by ensuring that public relations, press, information and protocol positions in government institutions, including local governments, are occupied by certified practitioners.
The NIPR leadership also proposed quarterly masterclasses for government spokespersons, media aides, press secretaries and local government information officers.
The proposed training sessions would focus on areas including crisis communication, media relations and government image management.
Focus on Crisis Communication and Misinformation
One of the major arguments behind the proposal is the changing nature of public communication.
Government institutions increasingly operate in an environment where official announcements compete with social media posts, citizen-generated content, online commentary and rapidly circulating claims.
At the federal level, the Bureau of Public Service Reforms has similarly emphasised the importance of strategic communication and stakeholder management. In 2025, the bureau organised training for information and public relations officers across federal ministries, departments and agencies, focusing on communicating government policies, transparency and countering misinformation.
The bureau said government communicators need to provide clarity, credibility and context, particularly as digital platforms have fragmented the traditional information environment.
Benue's proposed reform reflects similar concerns at the state level.
NIPR Wants a Formal Partnership
Beyond professional recognition, the Benue NIPR chapter wants to become a technical partner to the state government on communication campaigns.
Toryue proposed NIPR involvement in campaigns covering security, disease prevention, public sensitisation and other public-interest programmes.
The institute also offered to assist with press-release vetting, crisis communication, reputation management and responses to what government considers misrepresentation of its activities.
The chapter proposed an annual interaction between Governor Alia and public relations practitioners in the state as another mechanism for strengthening communication between government and professionals.
Kula welcomed the proposed partnership and pledged the administration's willingness to work with the institute on initiatives considered beneficial to Benue.
Proposed Training and International Exposure
The NIPR chapter also requested government support for capacity development, including funding for at least 20 members to attend the World Public Relations Forum scheduled to take place in Abuja in November.
Kula pledged to pursue opportunities for members of the Benue chapter to participate in the forum.
The chapter is also seeking permanent office accommodation in the state, with Kula indicating his support for efforts to secure a permanent secretariat.
For the government, strengthening professional communication could provide a more structured mechanism for explaining policies and responding to public concerns.
Communication as Part of Governance
The proposed formalisation of public relations comes as Benue's government continues to emphasise public enlightenment and citizen engagement.
The state Ministry of Information and Orientation says its mandate includes disseminating timely and accurate information, explaining government policies and programmes and encouraging citizens to participate in the development of the state.
If implemented, the proposed career structure could give public relations practitioners clearer professional responsibilities and progression within the civil service.
It could also establish clearer standards for the appointment and training of government communicators.
For the NIPR, the initiative represents an opportunity to strengthen professional standards and reduce the use of unqualified personnel in communication-related positions.
For the government, it could provide a more coordinated approach to public information, particularly during crises and periods of heightened public concern.
The proposal remains subject to the relevant administrative and policy processes. But the discussions between the Benue State Government and NIPR indicate growing recognition that effective communication is an important component of modern public administration.
As governments increasingly operate in a digital information environment, the ability to communicate policies accurately, respond to crises and engage citizens effectively is becoming an increasingly important function of the civil service.