Ikechi Uko, organiser of the Akwaaba African Travel Market, has called for a fundamental reset of protocol practice in Nigeria, insisting that the discipline must be repositioned as a driver of efficiency and service delivery rather than a tool shaped by power and elitism.
Speaking as a guest panelist at the Annual Congress of the Association of Certified Protocol Practitioners in Nigeria held at The Civic Center, Lagos, Uko argued that protocol in Nigeria has long been undermined by status-driven culture, where rules are often bent to accommodate influence.
“In Nigeria, protocol bows to power and elitism. It should be the other way around,” he said. “The phrase ‘Do you know who I am?’ should never override established systems.”
The congress, themed “Protocol Practice as a Catalyst for Effective Service Delivery in Nigeria,” brought together professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders to examine how protocol can be repositioned as a strategic tool across governance, business, diplomacy, and technology.
Uko emphasized that protocol, when properly applied, creates order, clarity, and consistency—elements he described as essential to improving everyday experiences in sectors such as banking, aviation, and public administration.
“Protocol is about order built on clarity, consistency, and accountability,” he said. “If we get this right, we will see better service delivery in our airports, banks, and government offices. This is a template for a society that works.”
His position aligned with the broader resolution of the congress, which declared that protocol has evolved beyond ceremonial duties into what participants described as the “administrative oil” that reduces friction in governance and business.
In its communiqué signed by Friday Ben, the association outlined key reform priorities, including standardising procedures in the public sector, strengthening corporate governance through structured protocol, enhancing diplomatic practice, and integrating technology and artificial intelligence into routine operations.
The congress also announced compulsory annual training for practitioners and a specialised programme scheduled for October 2026, aimed at raising professional standards across both public and private sectors.
ACPPN Executive President Inkinbor Michael reinforced the economic value of protocol, noting that organisations that invest in trained protocol officers stand to improve business outcomes and institutional credibility.
Other speakers, including Mavi Sokia Isibo and Tunde Sodipo, stressed the need for accountability, enforcement, and broader awareness to elevate the profession.
For Uko, however, the message remains simple but urgent: Nigeria’s service delivery challenges cannot be fixed without restoring respect for systems.
“Protocol is not about control—it is about coordination,” he said. “And until we stop bending rules for individuals, we will struggle to build institutions that truly work.”
The congress concluded with ACPPN reaffirming its commitment to leading reforms that will reposition protocol as a critical pillar of national development and administrative excellence.
