A Communications expert,Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan has urged public relations professionals in Nigeria to move beyond the traditional view of communication as mere information transfer, called instead for a deeper understanding anchored on meaning, shared intention, and human connection.
He made the call in his speech at the first-quarter 2026 induction ceremony of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), held at Bolingo Xperia Hotel, where about 500 new members were formally inducted into the Institute.
Dr. Ibietan, who spoke extemporaneously following an orientation lecture by former Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information, Ini Ememobong, said the long-held definition of communication as the sharing or transmission of information was no longer sufficient in today’s complex information environment.
He argued that communication should instead be understood as a process of meaning-making rooted in shared intentionality, mutual attention, and joint goals, drawing intellectual support from scholars such as Martin Buber, Michael Tomasello, and Paul Watzlawick.
According to him, communication in its true sense is inherently cooperative and central to human interaction and survival, stressed that professionals in the field must rise to the responsibility of shaping ethical, empathetic, and effective communication practices in society.
He further noted that in modern communication, every action including silence carried meaning, advised practitioners to be conscious of both verbal and non-verbal signals, as they significantly influence perception and trust.
Dr. Ibietan also cautioned against casual or careless public behaviour, stressing that personal conduct forms part of one’s communicative identity and professional credibility.
He encouraged the inductees to adopt a collaborative approach to communication, saying it fosters trust, strengthens relationships, enhances understanding, and promotes social stability and progress.
The PR expert further warned that practitioners must take an active role in addressing the challenges of contemporary communication, including misinformation, declining attention spans, and the ethical risks posed by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
He emphasised that communication should not be treated as a secondary function within organisations but as a core leadership responsibility that shapes strategy, culture, and public trust.
The event, which brought together senior communication professionals and members of the Institute, also featured the President and Chairman of Council of the NIPR, Ike Neliaku; Council member, Comrade Ahmed Sajoh, who delivered the welcome address; and other stakeholders, including Ismaila Isah, Special Adviser on Media to the Kogi State Governor.
The induction ceremony marked the formal admission of new members into the Institute as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen professionalism and elevate standards in public relations practice in Nigeria.
