PUBLIC SPONSORSHIP IS NOT IMMORAL — IT’S STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION-STEVENSON
GREATRIBUNTVNEWS–IN the heat of Nigeria’s increasingly polarized public discourse, it’s not uncommon to find sweeping declarations masquerading as ethical conclusions. One such claim making the rounds is the assertion that “it is ethically wrong for governments to sponsor professional associations, especially the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).” As a communications and public relations expert, I find that position not only misleading but dangerously simplistic.
THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY SHELL NIGERIA
The idea that government support to professional bodies is inherently immoral fails to consider the broader strategic implications of such partnerships — both for governance and for national development. Public relations, at its core, is about managing relationships — and that includes the critical interface between government, institutions, and civil society.
Let’s take the NBA as a case study. Far from being just a professional guild, the NBA is a vital institution in Nigeria’s democratic ecosystem. It is at the forefront of legal reform, civic education, constitutional advocacy, and justice sector advancement. Supporting the NBA’s national conference is not the same as financing a private party. It is about engaging a crucial stakeholder in nation-building.
From a public relations standpoint, when a government sponsors or supports such a conference — especially when it’s hosted in its own state — it is making a calculated communication investment. That sponsorship is a statement: We believe in the rule of law. We are ready for national attention. We are open for business. It brings delegates, investment conversations, hotel bookings, local commerce, and national visibility. That is not immoral — that is strategic.
In the world of PR and nation branding, hosting high-impact events is a tested tool for territorial positioning. Just as Lagos hosts the Art X Festival or Abuja hosts the Nigerian Economic Summit, Port Harcourt (or any other state) supporting the NBA conference is a move rooted in reputation management and economic diplomacy.
Yes, ethical concerns arise when public funds are disbursed without transparency, due process, or clear benefit to citizens. But that is not the same as saying the act of sponsorship itself is immoral. Context matters. Intent matters. Execution matters.
What we need is a more informed conversation — one that recognises that in the global practice of governance, governments routinely support think tanks, policy roundtables, professional conferences, and institutional gatherings. Not as a favour, but as a strategic investment in soft power and stakeholder alignment.
To call that immoral is to ignore how serious nations operate.
In this age of complex governance and stakeholder capitalism, collaboration between the state and professional institutions should not only be encouraged — it should be refined, formalized, and made more impactful. That’s the real ethical imperative
Kunle Odusola-Stevenson is a public relations expert and media strategist.
