By Ihotu Uriel
Abuja, Nigeria — April 27, 2026
The Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) has endorsed the newly formed Association of Agricultural Research Institutes and Colleges Public Relations Officers (AARIC-PRO), in a move aimed at strengthening communication, visibility, and professionalism across its institutions.
The Executive Secretary of ARCN, Adamu Abubakar Dabban, gave the endorsement while receiving the pioneer executives of the association during a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja.
The visit, which followed an earlier proposal on repositioning public relations within the ARCN system, focused on integrating communication functions across research institutes and colleges.
Driving Strategic Communication
Speaking during the meeting, the Founding National Coordinator of AARIC-PRO, Oluwatoyin Khadija Ameen, said the association was created to reposition public relations from a routine information unit to a strategic management function.
She explained that the goal is to improve institutional visibility, strengthen stakeholder trust, and support national priorities such as agriculture, food security, and economic development.
ARCN’s Position
Responding, Dabban described the initiative as timely and aligned with the Council’s broader communication objectives.
He directed the association to submit a formal proposal through the Directorate of Administration for approval, noting that once adopted, institutions would be mandated to establish fully functional Public Relations units.
He added that Public Relations Officers across the system would serve as outstation representatives of ARCN within a coordinated communication network.
The Executive Secretary also stressed the importance of professionalism, directing all PR officers to obtain certification from the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) within six months.
Strengthening Institutional Visibility
Also speaking, the Director of Administration, Kalimat Balogun, commended the initiative, noting that structured communication units are essential for effective institutional projection.
She encouraged all institutions to align with the new framework to improve visibility and coordination.
Key Outcomes
As part of the resolutions reached:
1.Quarterly coordination meetings for Public Relations Officers will be introduced
2.Institutions will provide regular reports on communication activities
3.Capacity building through training, workshops, and conferences will be prioritised
4.Colleges and institutes are encouraged to publish quarterly magazines showcasing achievements and research outputs
5. A joint publication across institutions is also being proposed.
The association also announced plans to hold its maiden conference in October 2026, with the ARCN Executive Secretary expressing interest in participating.
Looking Ahead
The AARIC-PRO proposal will be forwarded for formal approval, marking a significant step toward institutionalising Public Relations as a strategic function within Nigeria’s agricultural research system.
