I was unceremoniously suspended and ordered to leave the Kuru-based institute on May 2, 2025—an action he claims stunned his family and professional colleagues, especially as other participants remained on the course
— Yushau Shuaib
By Abdulrahman Aliagan, Abuja
The Director General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Professor Ayo Omotayo, has approved the withdrawal of Yushau Shuaib, founder of PRNigeria, from the Institute’s Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47, following allegations of misconduct and insubordination.
In a letter addressed to a professional body of which Shuaib is a member, NIPSS disclosed that the decision was made based on the recommendation of its disciplinary committee. The letter, signed by Muhammad Kabir Suleiman on behalf of the DG, did not clearly outline the specific infractions committed but referenced “breaches of confidentiality and institutional guidelines.” It also requested Shuaib’s bank details for a prorated refund of his ₦18.2 million course fee.
Shuaib, a seasoned public relations practitioner, has since petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over what he described as “unjust, humiliating, and deeply distressing” treatment at the elite policy institute. In his petition titled “Unjust Treatment at NIPSS Over Articles Supporting Digital and Blue Economy Reforms,” he alleged harassment, cyberbullying, and professional marginalization despite his adherence to institutional protocols.
He further stated that he was unceremoniously suspended and ordered to leave the Kuru-based institute on May 2, 2025—an action he claims stunned his family and professional colleagues, especially as other participants remained on the course.
At the centre of the controversy are two economic articles: a news piece titled “NIPSS Goes Digital,” which Shuaib insists he neither authored nor edited, and an independent opinion article supporting Nigeria’s Blue Economy initiative, which he maintains had no mention of NIPSS.
In a series of troubling allegations, Shuaib cited restrictions barring him from identifying as a Member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (mnipr) during plenary sessions—an order not applied to others using informal titles like “Dagger” or “Sword.” He also accused the disciplinary panel of denying him the opportunity to defend himself, claiming that his response was rewritten and submitted without his consent by a senior officer.
Furthermore, Shuaib accused NIPSS of accessing a private PRNigeria editorial email account, describing it as an unlawful breach of privacy and professional conduct. He claims the incident, coupled with prolonged isolation from study activities and international tours, took a toll on his health, leading to a hypertension diagnosis at the institute’s medical centre.
Shuaib is calling on President Tinubu to initiate an independent probe into the disciplinary process and alleged cyber-privacy violations. He also urged the Federal Government to facilitate a review of his withdrawal and to push for the adoption of a formal communication policy at NIPSS.
Criticising what he termed the “excessive militarization” of the institute’s academic environment, he noted that the absence of a clear communication framework leaves participants vulnerable to arbitrary disciplinary action.
When reached for comment, Shuaib said, “Despite my suspension two months ago, NIPSS has yet to update me on my status, although I’m aware of efforts to expel me. I’m still awaiting formal communication from them.”
The incident has sparked growing interest in transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s top policy training institution.