Samuel Ayetutu Emerges As Lagos NIPR Chairman, Comfort Nwankwo Elected Into NIPR Council

Following the election of Mrs. Comfort Obot Nwankwo into the Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) at the Institute’s Annual General Meeting held in Uyo in May 2025, the Vice Chairman of the Lagos Chapter, Dr. Samuel Ayetutu, has assumed office as Chairman of the Chapter. He will serve the remainder of the executive council’s term, which ends on Thursday, August 14, 2025, when new elections are scheduled to take place.

The official transition took place on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, during the Chapter’s first Monthly Meeting following NIPR AGM in Uyo.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Council Member Nwankwo expressed her gratitude to the Chapter for the overwhelming support she received throughout her tenure as Chairman.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Samuel Ayetutu, who also marked a significant personal milestone on the same day by successfully defending his PhD thesis at Babcock University, commended his predecessor for her exceptional leadership and years of devoted service to the Chapter and the Institute.

He called on members to close ranks and prioritize unity within the Chapter, pledging to work diligently to ensure that the public relations profession gains its rightful recognition and influence in Lagos State.

In accordance with the NIPR Chapter Administration By-Law (Amended 2024), Mrs. Comfort Obot Nwankwo remains a member of the Chapter’s Executive Council as Ex-Officio, with additional responsibilities as Internal Auditor, alongside Mr. Olusegun McMedal, who was also elected into the NIPR Council during the Uyo AGM.

Dr. Ayetutu, the new Chairman of Lagos NIPR, is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, a Fellow of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, and a dedicated Rotarian. He is a seasoned, creative, and tactful communication strategist with over 24 years of professional experience in the Integrated Marketing Communications industry.

Dr. Samuel Ayetutu is a well-rounded, creative and tactful communication strategist with over 24 years of professional experience in the integrated Marketing Communication industry, having been responsible for series of Public Relations, Advertising and Editorial projects cutting across private-public sector orientations.

He attended Ogun State Polytechnic, (now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic), Abeokuta where he completed the National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Mass Communication (1992-1995 and 1995-1997) respectively.

Driven by uncommon quest for knowledge, Samuel Ayetutu proceeded to the Lagos State University, Ojo for a Post-Graduate Diploma in International Relations and Strategic Studies (2002-2003) and returned to the same institution for his Masters Degree in Communication (2007-2009) . In the year 2012 he completed a Prince II course in Project Management, certified by the Association of Project Management Group, United Kingdom. He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and also a fellow of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON). On Wednesday 11th June, 2025, he completed a Doctoral Degree in Mass Communication at the prestigious Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo and has been listed among PhD graduating students in the University’s convocation programme slated for July 2025.

His professional career began in September 1999 when he was employed as a Sub-Editor at Daily News (a defunct Newspaper), published by John West Limited. In July 2000, he joined the Lagos State Ministry of Information and strategy as Public Affairs officer.

Over the years, he rose through the ranks as he efficiently manned the state’s apparatus for information management in Ministries, Departments and Agencies he was deployed to which include Lagos State Health Management Board, Ministry of Home Affairs and Culture, Lagos State Sports Council, Lagos State Health Service Commission, Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Lagos State Lands Bureau as well as Lagos State Public Works Corporation. He was also a part-time lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Lagos State Polytechnic where he taught courses in Public Relations, Advertising and News Writing between 2005 and 2009.

In June 2021, he was elected Vice Chairman, NIPR (Lagos State Chapter); a position he holds till date.

Samuel Ayetutu is a strong believer in volunteerism and has been involved in humanitarian services on the platform of Rotary Club of Omole-Golden under Rotary International District 9111 where he has served in various capacities, after his tenure as president in 2006–2007. He is a communication resource person of Rotary, having served at the regional level as Assistant Rotary Public Image Co-ordinator (ARPIC) for Rotary International Zone 20A (English Speaking Africa) from 2016-2019. He recently emerged as one of the future District Governors of Rotary International District 9111, Nigeria.