A 400-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos, Daniel Nnam, has emerged the overall winner of the 2025 NECCI Public Relations Essay Competition, taking home a cash prize of ₦250,000.
Nnam beat 24 other contestants from five tertiary institutions across Nigeria to clinch the top spot in the prestigious annual contest, which aims to nurture emerging talent in the nation’s public relations industry.
The winners were announced during the 25th NECCI Public Relations Roundtable, held on October 23, 2025, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Baba-Enoch Temitope of Covenant University emerged the first runner-up, receiving ₦150,000, while Tomiwa Oyegunle of Olabisi Onabanjo University took the second runner-up position with a ₦100,000 prize.
Celebrating Ethics and Leadership in PR
The 2025 roundtable, themed “The Ethics of Governance: Shaping Reputation through Public Relations,” brought together policymakers, corporate leaders, academics, and communication professionals to explore the role of ethics in public trust and leadership reputation.
Founder and convener of the NECCI PR Roundtable, Dr. Nkechi Ali-Balogun, said the essay competition was designed to discover and empower young talents who will shape the future of ethical public relations practice in Nigeria.
“With your support, we envision this prize evolving into a prestigious annual award that recognises and nurtures outstanding talent in public relations,” she said.
Ali-Balogun reiterated that the roundtable remains committed to promoting professional excellence through partnerships with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and other corporate organisations. She also emphasised the importance of ethical communication and transparent governance in rebuilding public confidence.
‘Trust Is the Currency of Leadership’ — John Momoh
In his keynote address, veteran broadcaster and Chairman of Channels Media Group, Dr. John Momoh, stressed that credibility not information is Nigeria’s biggest leadership challenge.
“Trust is the currency of leadership between leaders and citizens, government and the governed, and between Nigeria and Nigerians,” he said.
“People no longer take official statements at face value. They hear promises that don’t match their pay and see projects launched but rarely completed. When citizens lose faith in their leaders, no amount of publicity can repair that loss of trust.”
Momoh added that the ethics of governance extend beyond rhetoric:
“Ethics is integrity, transparency and accountability doing the right thing, not the complicated thing.”
Integrity as a Communication Strategy
Also speaking at the event, Group Executive Director of Rainoil Ltd, Godfrey Ogbechie, linked integrity to effective crisis management in corporate and public communication.
“Integrity is the best crisis management tool. When you choose openness over silence and honesty over convenience, trust grows even in tough times,” Ogbechie said.
“As professionals, we must be more than storytellers; we must be truth tellers. Let our messages align with our values.”
The NECCI PR Roundtable, now in its 25th year, continues to serve as a platform for thought leadership, mentorship, and professional development, promoting ethics-driven communication in Nigeria’s public and private sectors.
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