Protocol practitioners unveil plan to establish training institute

The Association of Certified Protocol Practitioners in Nigeria has unveiled plans to establish the Nigeria Institute of Protocol to train new officers for effective service delivery.

The ACPPN Chairman Board of Trustees, Akin Oyateru, disclosed this in Lagos on Saturday during the association’s annual congress.

According to Oyateru, the institute, when on stream, will run a three-tier training programme divided into basic, intermediate and advanced courses.

He stressed that the programme would enable beginners and professionals to navigate the intricate paths of protocol with the knowledge, confidence, capacity and competence required to be accomplished, practitioners and effective protocol managers.

“It is hoped that the proposed Nigeria Institute of Protocol would be established in the near future. When on stream, it will run a three-tier training programme divided into Basic, Intermediate and Advanced courses.

“This programme will enable beginners as well as professionals to navigate with ease the intricate paths of protocol with knowledge, confidence, capacity, and competence required to be accomplished practitioners and effective protocol managers,” he said.

Oyateru defined “protocol” as a set of rules prescribing good manners in official life and ceremonies that have, over time, come to be accepted as diplomatic and official culture.

He said protocol underpins the observance of rules and regulations that keep public and private organisations running.

The BoT chairman maintained that organisations must set forth their vision, mission and core values, saying the inculcation of values like dedication, honesty, loyalty, moderation, professionalism, competency, self-improvement, positive drive, result-orientation, knowledge-base, awareness, ICT compliance, healthy interpersonal relations and being a team player helps to form organisational culture.

At official or social functions, he said protocol also guarantees the upholding of etiquette and decorum, including due consideration for the interests of others.

“Protocol helps to curb excesses such as rowdiness and other anti-social behaviours, ensuring that guests can generally have a pleasant time and the objective of promoting friendship is achieved, giving the hosts a modicum of satisfaction.

“Politeness should be observed when speaking in public, while heated arguments should be avoided when making interventions. Avoid interrupting when others are making their points; keep conversations quiet and orderly,” he admonished.

The ACPPN President, Michael Ikinbor, said the theme of the congress, ‘Protocol Practice as a Catalyst for Effective Service Delivery in Nigeria’, speaks directly to the increasing complexity in governance, diplomacy and institutional engagement where the demand for order and professionalism has never been more pronounced.

Ikinbor stressed that the gathering was merely ceremonial but purposeful, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening the systems that enable effective interaction within institutions.

“At its core, protocol is about enabling systems to function effectively. It ensures that processes are respected, that interactions are orderly, and that outcomes are achieved with clarity and purpose.

“As practitioners, our responsibility extends beyond execution to stewardship, ensuring that the standards we uphold contribute meaningfully to institutional effectiveness and national development.

“This requires not only technical competence, but also a sustained commitment to excellence, integrity, and continuous learning,” Ikinbor submitted.

In his keynote address, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gen Ike Nwachukwu (retd.), who was represented by Amb Tunde Sodipo, said he viewed the ACPPN not merely as a professional association but as a vital custodian of Nigeria’s national image.

According to him, in the world of international relations, there is a common misconception that diplomacy is handled solely by the words of ministers or the pens of ambassadors.

“But those of us who have walked the halls of the United Nations or managed bilateral summits know the truth: Protocol is the first language of diplomacy.

“Before a single handshake is exchanged or a communique is signed, the protocol practitioner has already spoken. You speak through the precision of the flags, the hierarchy of the motorcade, and the seamless transition of a visiting head of state from the tarmac to the high table.

“When these elements are flawless, they project a message of stability, competence, and sovereignty,” he said.

Nwachukwu emphasised that service delivery in diplomacy is the ability of a nation to achieve its foreign policy objectives.

“If the protocol is broken, the diplomacy is bruised. A seating error or a breach of precedence can derail months of delicate negotiations. You are the ‘shock absorbers’ that prevent friction between sovereign egos,” he stated.

To attract technology and corporate investment, he mentioned that Nigeria must present an environment of predictable order.

“Investors do not just look at our laws; they look at our systems. A well-executed state visit or corporate summit is a signal that Nigeria is a sophisticated and organised partner,” he added.

A BoT member, Ken Etete, emphasised the need for clarity, consistency and accountability in protocol practices, saying the Corporate Affairs Commission succeeded where many struggled because it made things clear and consistent while making people accountable.

At a panel session, dignitaries like Amb Safiu Olaniyan, Mrs Mavi Isibor of Poise Nigeria, Ikechi Uko of African Travel Market, Henry Agbebire of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria and others discussed the challenges facing protocol practices in Nigeria while proffering workable solutions.

The congress ended with the association’s annual general meeting and the induction of new members.