NIPSS expels PRNigeria founder Yushau Shuaib over articles on digital, blue economy
The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) has expelled Yushau Shuaib, the founder of PRNigeria, following his petition over alleged unjust treatment and cybercrime at the institute.
Ayo Omotayo, the director-general of the institute, ordered Yushau’s withdrawal from the senior executive course (SEC) 47, citing “misconduct and disregard for constituted authorities.”
This is contained in a letter sent to the professional body to which Shuaib belongs.
Omotayo said the decision was approved by the institute’s management following a disciplinary committee recommendation to expel Shuaib over alleged breaches of confidentiality and institutional guidelines.
The withdrawal letter, which was signed by Muhammad Suleiman on behalf of the director-general, did not specify the exact offences constituting “misconduct.”
The letter concluded by requesting the bank account details to process a prorated refund of Shuaib’s course fee.
The Times of Abuja reported that Shuaib had petitioned President Bola Tinubu, detailing what he described as “unjust, humiliating, and deeply distressing” treatment at NIPSS.
In his petition, titled “Unjust Treatment at NIPSS Over Articles Supporting Digital and Blue Economy Reforms,” he alleged harassment, cyberbullying, and professional ostracisation—despite claiming full compliance with institutional guidelines.
The renowned public relations expert further stated that he was abruptly asked to vacate the NIPSS premises following his suspension on May 2, 2025, a move that reportedly shocked his family and colleagues, especially as other participants remained in the programme.
Shuaib argued that he was unfairly queried for innocuous articles, including a news story titled “NIPSS Goes Digital,” which he neither authored nor edited, as well as a positive opinion piece on the “Blue Economy” that made no mention of NIPSS.
He further mentioned a discriminatory instruction forbidding him from identifying himself as a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).
“This was particularly baffling,” he said, “since others were freely allowed to use their professional affiliations, including informal titles like ‘Dagger’ and ‘Sword.’”
Shuaib also said that he was denied the opportunity to defend himself during a disciplinary committee, with the panel allegedly relying on a rewritten response imposed by A. A. Mustapha, a retired rear admiral, on behalf of Nima Salman, the acting director of studies.
The PR practitioner also accused NIPSS of illegally intercepting and accessing a restricted internal PRNigeria editorial email, describing it as a serious breach of digital privacy, cyberbullying, and professional misconduct.
Shuaib further revealed that despite paying the full N18.2 million course fee, he was excluded from SEC 47’s international study tours and officially alienated from other participants. He attributes psychological distress from the ordeal that led to a hypertension diagnosis at the institute’s clinic.
Shuaib sought an independent investigation into the disciplinary process and alleged cyber-privacy violations.
He requested a review of his suspension and exclusion, along with the establishment of a clear communication policy for NIPSS participants.
He also highlighted the institute’s lack of a defined communication policy, leaving participants without clear guidance on what constitutes public, restricted, or classified information in social or media engagements.
When contacted about the development, Shuaib stated that NIPSS had not provided any updates on his status for nearly two months since his suspension, despite his awareness of prior attempts to expel him.
“I’m still expecting their correspondence to me directly, as they stated in the suspension letter they addressed to me about two months ago,” Shuaib remarked.
