Research & Innovation

UPRL is at the forefront of communication research in Africa — generating knowledge that shapes policy, industry practice, and global academic debate.

Our Research Ecosystem

Five dedicated research centres drive UPRL's knowledge generation agenda, partnering with government, industry, and international institutions.

Centre for Public Relations Research (CPRR)

Five dedicated research centres drive UPRL's knowledge generation agenda, partnering with government, industry, and international institutions.

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Leadership & Governance Research Institute (LGRI)

Investigating the nexus of communication, ethical leadership, democratic governance, and public accountability in Nigerian and African institutions.

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Digital Media & Innovation Lab (DMIL)

Exploring the impact of digital technologies, social media, AI, and data analytics on communication practice, media industries, and public discourse.

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Crisis & Risk Communication Centre (CRCC)

Studying organizational and public crisis communication, emergency information management, and risk perception across Nigerian and African settings.

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African Development Communication Unit (ADCU)

Advancing research on communication for development, participatory media, health communication, and social behaviour change across the African continent.

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Security Communication Research Group (SCRG)

Examining the communication strategies of security agencies, intelligence organizations, and defence institutions in Nigeria and globally.

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Recent Publications

Strategic Communication in African Democratic Transitions: Evidence from Nigeria's 2023 Elections

Adeyemi, T., Okafor, B., & Ibrahim, S.

African Journal of Public Relations, 12(1), 45–68

Digital PR in Sub-Saharan Africa: Adoption, Challenges, and Opportunities

Nwosu, C. & Osei-Mensah, K.

Journal of Communication Management, 28(4), 312–329

Crisis Communication During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons from West African Governments

Bello, A., Diallo, F., & Mensah, R.

Public Relations Review, 50(2), 102–118

Gender and Leadership Communication in Nigerian Corporate Boardrooms

Eze, P. & Afolabi, M.

African Communication Research, 17(3), 201–224

Reputation Management in the Nigerian Banking Sector: A Stakeholder Theory Perspective

Olawale, D., Chukwu, E., & Sanni, I.

Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 28(1), 88–107