For decades, Mrs. Nkechi Ali-Balogun, Ph.D., fnipr, has been a prominent voice in Nigeria's communications and public relations industry, earning admiration for her professionalism, vision, and leadership. Now at 70, the NECCI Chief Executive Officer reflects on her career milestones, challenges, achievements, and the lessons from a lifetime of impact.
Reflections on Turning 70
When asked about reaching 70 in a country where life expectancy is around 50, she said, 'A lot of people have asked me this question, but quite honestly, I do not feel anything. God has been good to me. I feel the same way when I was 60, 50 years. Yes, there are changes in the body structure. For instance, the bones may not be as strong as they used to be. I may not be able to run as much as I used to do. For instance, I used to walk two hours every morning in the past ten years but now am able to do about thirty minutes. But I eat, drink well and I sleep well like a baby. So, I feel good, really, really good. I just give God the glory, there is not anything special that I did. I am not boasting, I really do not feel anything. I am as alert as I used to be. I work for the same time that I used to. I feel good and feel Jesus in me because He is the one that gives me the ability. He is the one that gives me the capacity both to will and do. So, I am glad, happy and strong. My eyes are good and strength is good. Nothing has diminished, I just thank God.'
Life Lessons Over 70 Years
She shared profound lessons: 'The greatest lessons I have learnt in my life and I am not being sanctimonious is that God is in everything. He is your going and coming, He is in your high and low. He is in your doing, success and determines how far you go. He determines your helpers and He is the one that promotes. He is the one that recognizes and identifies you and positions you in a way that people will recognise that you are there. God is the one. So, let no man boast. I have also learnt that, no matter how hard you work, you cannot go beyond where God has determined from the beginning where you will go. So, God is the one that orchestrates everything.'
She emphasized investing in people: 'The greatest investment aside from God is people. When you invest in people, you do not fail. When you invest in people, you create a community of loyal friends, a support system that aids you not to go wrong because you will always have somebody by your side. Like I said before, in this community of people that you have invested in, God uses them to also help, elevate and honour you. My investment in people, when I look back, I thank God for giving me that grace to honour and invest in people. I have also realised that it is not about money, it is about how you connect with people, empathise, love and relate with them with whatever you have. It could be your talent, but also mentoring people, encouraging and inspiring them, which is the greatest investment of all.'
She also learned to ignore detractors: 'It is not everybody that must love you. Some people could just hate you for nothing. The lesson from out of that is, you do not bother about them. Like the scripture in the bible that says, the seeds were growing and there were tare all around the seeds. You ignore the tare and let the seeds grow till you get your harvest. Therefore, do not bother about enemies; do not bother about who is not loving or loving you. Some will hate you for nothing, but you keep praying for them, but deep down in your heart, you know you did not do anything to make them hate you.'
She concluded: 'I am contented with what I have, with the wonderful man God has given, whether he has money or he does not have money. He is my husband and I love him and I know he is my greatest pillar of support. My daughter, one daughter, I am good. I am so contented with what I have. I do not envy anybody. I also know that if anybody in my circle of friends has what I do not have, I have the grace to enjoy it without feeling ashamed. That is how I live and move. God has been my source and He leads me.'
Entry into Public Relations
She stumbled into PR by accident: 'I landed a producer job at the Nigerian Television Authority. That role threw me into all kinds of settings and introduced me to people from every walk of life. I worked in the programmes department under the late Jimmy Atte, who taught me the basics of documentary-making. My first taste of communications was writing scripts for those documentaries and joining crews that produced big, high-profile “A” documentaries, talking to ministers, heads of state and their wives, governors, the whole lot. To survive on that team, your communication and people skills had to be on point. We learned how to handle high-profile personalities in ways that got the responses we needed. Before long, I found I loved meeting people and studying how they behaved, it actually helped me do my job better. Besides, I have always been a peoples’ person so it was not difficult for me to integrate myself into the organizational culture of NTA. Later I got call to set up the Corporate Affairs Unit at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank. As a pioneer staffer with little PR experience, I had to dive in headfirst. I started by getting professional training — joining the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and taking PR courses at home and abroad. And that was it: I’ve been hooked on PR ever since.'
Assessment of PR Practice in Nigeria
She praised the transformation: 'What makes me happy about the Nigerian PR industry is the tremendous transformation that has taken place over the years. Employers and users of professional services now have a much clearer understanding of what public relations truly is, and they are more intentional about engaging the right skills for the right roles. PR is no longer seen merely as a government mouthpiece. We have moved from a period of government information control to a more professional, strategic, and digital practice, and that is a very encouraging development.'
However, she expressed concern about quacks: 'One of my concerns is the presence of quacks and unskilled individuals parading themselves as public relations professionals. While every profession has its own challenges, the growing number of people misrepresenting themselves in communications has affected the image of the field. Another challenge has been weak enforcement of the laws and standards that guide the profession, partly because government support was limited for a long time. However, I am encouraged by the efforts of the current leadership of the institute, which is working hard to address these issues and strengthen compliance. For the first time, we also have an active Fellow of the institute serving as Minister of Information, and that has brought a new level of understanding and support to the profession. Yes, we have had Ministers in the past who are members of the institute but they never showed any interest as the current Minister. That gives me hope for the future of public relations in Nigeria.'
Changes in PR and Media Practice
She noted dramatic transformations: 'PR as we used to know has been revolutionised and have undergone dramatic transformation. We have moved from a traditional, gatekeeper-controlled system dominated by newspapers, radio, and television to a fast-paced digital ecosystem driven by social media and real-time communication. Today we have the rise of digital and social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok that are redefining our approach to messaging and storytelling. Of course there is the advent of the citizen journalism that has kept every practitioner on their toes and of course, the growing influencer culture, where ordinary individuals can now shape public opinion. News travel faster than the normal speed changing the traditional method of crisis management. Furthermore, there is an emphasis now on data analytics, audience engagement, and measurable impact. What exactly is PR bringing to the table. Today, PR messages and stories must be authentic, with visuals that make it human-centered, relatable and experiential. No doubt, PR has evolved beyond media relations into strategic leadership, reputation management, policy, culture, and stakeholder engagement responding to an increased public demand for transparency, accountability, and ethical communication. We must not also fail to mention the emergence and impact of the almighty Artificial Intelligence that some practitioners think is contending with their jobs. On a more serious note, AI is not here to take anybody’s job but to partner while we continue to remain the author of our initiatives. Overall, PR has shifted from controlling information to shaping narratives, building trust, and managing relationships in a highly connected digital world.'
Principles for Relevance and Respect
She attributed her sustained relevance to integrity: 'Over the years, I have maintained a principle of integrity, transparency, and honesty. I am always willing to engage and learn from my colleagues where I have a gap-need. I have continued to update and upskill and journey in the Public Relations industry can be described as a path of leadership, resilience, influence, and service and more importantly I have been consistent in my commitment to strategic communication, human relations, and societal impact. My relevance has been sustained and defined by professionalism with empathy, using communication not just to inform, but to inspire, defend dignity, build trust, and create meaningful change and lasting relationships.'
Advice for Young PR Practitioners
She advised: 'The first thing I always bring to the minds of youths that want to survive in this profession or any other profession is that there is nothing like a free lunch, someone somewhere has paid for it. Therefore, they must be ready to work hard. Young PR practitioners seeking long-term success should must be intentional about their communication skills and professionalism. They must consistently and deliberately continue to learn and relearn focusing on credibility and strategic thinking. They should embrace digital technology, AI, analytics, and evolving media trends while also developing cultural intelligence and relationship-building skills. PR today goes beyond publicity; it requires understanding business, leadership, reputation, and stakeholder engagement. They must see communication as tool for promotion, as well as building and mending relationships for enhanced trust and positive impact.'
Heart of Effective PR in Digital Age
She emphasized: 'Authenticity, honesty, integrity, intentionality and agility.'
Leadership and Human Relationships
She concluded: 'As a leader, you must avoid placing all members of your community in the same category. There is a need to segment and engage people according to their different personalities, strengths, and expectations. You must always remember that every individual is unique and has something valuable to contribute. Effective leadership requires the deliberate effort to discover what distinguishes each person and to create opportunities that make everyone feel relevant, valued, and impactful.'
