By William Emmanuel Ukpoju
The Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of The Valuechain Energy Magazine, Alhaji Musa Bashir Usman, FNIPR, has been co-opted as a member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Nigeria’s apex professional body for public relations practice. The appointment underscores his growing influence in Nigeria’s media and strategic communications ecosystem and affirms his standing as a respected voice at the intersection of journalism, public policy, and institutional governance.
In a formal letter dated 15th December, 2025, following the 122nd Council Meeting of the Institute held on Wednesday, 26 November 2025, the NIPR conveyed the decision to co-opt Usman, pursuant to Resolution NIPR/30/CM/122/1. The Council resolved that he would serve out the remaining tenure of the late Council member, Mallam Bashir Adamu Chedi, of blessed memory, whose passing created a vacancy on the Institute’s highest governing body.
The co-option is anchored in the provisions of the NIPR Act, Cap N114, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004. Specifically, Schedule 1, Section 7(b) empowers the Council to co-opt a “fit and proper person” to fill a vacancy where the unexpired term warrants such action. In exercising this statutory responsibility, the Council’s choice of Musa Bashir Usman reflects a clear confidence in his professional pedigree, ethical grounding, and capacity to contribute meaningfully to the governance of the Institute.
Beyond the formality of the appointment, the significance of Usman’s co-option lies in what he represents. As Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of The Valuechain Energy Magazine, he has built a reputation for rigorous, policy-focused journalism that interrogates Nigeria’s energy sector while situating it within broader economic, governance, and sustainability debates. Under his editorial leadership, the magazine has become a trusted platform for industry leaders, policymakers, and investors seeking depth, accuracy, and balance in energy reporting.
In his acceptance message to the Institute, Usman described the appointment as “one of the best things that has ever happened to me in recent times,” expressing gratitude to Almighty Allah for the privilege and the call to service. His words reflected both humility and a strong sense of duty, qualities that resonate with the ethos of the NIPR as a professional body committed to integrity, service, and national development.
He paid special tribute to key figures within the Institute who supported the nomination, including the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, FNIPR; former NIPR President, Malam Mukhtar Sirajo, FNIPR; former Vice President, Malam Mohammed Auwal, FNIPR; and the current NIPR President, Dr. Ike Neliaku, FNIPR. These acknowledgements highlight the collective leadership culture within the Institute and the importance of mentorship and continuity in professional institutions.
Importantly, Usman also reaffirmed his loyalty to his chapter, assuring members that while the scope of his new assignment is national, he remains committed to ensuring that his chapter continues to benefit from strong representation, building on the legacy of the late Fellow Bashir Adamu Chedi. This balance between national responsibility and grassroots accountability speaks to his inclusive approach to leadership.
For the NIPR Council, the addition of Musa Bashir Usman comes at a time when public relations practice in Nigeria is navigating complex challenges: misinformation, public trust deficits, digital disruption, and the growing demand for strategic communication in governance and corporate leadership. His leadership in media and sectoral analysis positions him to contribute practical insights into how institutions communicate policy, manage reputation, and engage stakeholders in an increasingly fragmented information environment.
For The Valuechain Energy Magazine and the wider media community, the appointment is equally symbolic. It reinforces the role of serious, values-driven journalism as a partner in national development and professional standards-setting, rather than a peripheral observer.
As Musa Bashir Usman prepares to take his seat at the NIPR Council meeting scheduled for Monday, 22 December 2025, the expectation within professional and media circles is clear: that he will bring to the Council the same depth, discipline, and public-interest focus that have defined his editorial career. In doing so, his co-option stands not only as a personal milestone but also as a quiet affirmation of the enduring link between credible media leadership and effective public relations practice in Nigeria.