By Ikechukwu Nmerengwa
He lives a life dedicated to service, both to his profession and to the wider community. He has diligently prepared himself for roles spanning diverse sectors.
The induction of Chido Benedict Nwakanma as a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) on Friday, 24 April 2026, felt like a coronation – a celebration of a worthy individual who has devoted his energies to elevating and extending PR practice to areas often overlooked.
His commitment to the profession is exceptional. Few report on PR practices, events, and industry developments as comprehensively as he does.
Described variously as a communication strategist, marketer, and scholar with extensive media and industry experience, consulting across Nigeria and Africa, these descriptions only hint at the breadth of his expertise.
Nwakanma possesses cross-cutting skills in communication development and execution, branding and identity, content creation, custom publishing, media engagement, and editing. He is a frequent speaker at conferences and events, and much more.
He writes extensively on the impact of culture on various aspects of life. His book reviews are insightful journeys that bridge art and reality.
Nwakanma has a remarkable ability to identify the PR value in everyday moments, demonstrating his attention to detail and his passion for both the profession and the advancement of society.
He holds an Upper Second Class Honours BA in Mass Communication from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, an MSc in Sociology from the University of Lagos, and an MSc in Media Communication from Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, where he is currently undertaking a PhD in Media and Communication and also teaches.
He draws deeply on his academic background to inform his nuanced perspectives.
He has a gift for explaining complex subjects with clarity, though explaining Nigeria itself remains a challenge.
When he writes news, features, or commentaries – or posts on social media – his work feels both personal and insightful. The sheer volume of his output hasn’t diminished its depth. Even when his work is thematic, it remains intellectually rigorous.
Media Relations Playbook: 25 Proven and Effective Hacks, Nwakanma’s 2023 book, received the 2024 Lapriga Award from the Lagos Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations for Best Book in Public Relations Education. It continues to garner positive reviews for the new perspectives it offers and the practical guidance it provides for enriching professional practice. PR practitioners, students, and general readers alike have found it a valuable resource in their pursuit of PR knowledge.
Nwakanma is Chief Executive of Blueflower Limited, a strategic communication firm. He previously served as Chief Executive of Taijo Wonukabe Limited, and held positions as Export, Institutional Sales, and Media Relations Manager at Cadbury Nigeria Plc.
He was General Editor of BUSINESS magazine and Regional Correspondent, covering the South-South and South-East, based in Port Harcourt, for the now-defunct ThisWeek magazine. He is currently Editor-at-Large for Businessday.
A prominent voice in Nigerian and African communication circles, Nwakanma has served as President of the International Association of Business Communicators, Nigeria, and President of the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) from 2012 to 2014.
Nwakanma holds memberships in professional bodies including the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (UK).
As Adjunct Faculty in the School of Media & Communication at Pan-Atlantic University, Nwakanma teaches undergraduate and postgraduate diploma courses in the History and Development of Nigerian Media, News Reporting, News Writing, and Editing.
He also contributes to professional development programmes with courses in Business Communication, Professional Writing, Development Communication, Media Trends, and Public Relations.
The induction of Nwakanma into the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations is a welcome addition of a valuable asset to the Fellowship of a vital Institute whose role in shaping Nigeria is growing, extending beyond mere appearances.
Congratulations, Chido Nwakanma, Fellow of the NIPR.
